SB 871 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ARSON.

Summary

Authorizes periods of imprisonment for individuals with previous arson convictions. Authorizes additional penalties for arson crimes that endanger vulnerable areas. Requires restitution for victims of arson who experienced property damage. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD1)

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB871 → SB871_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was renumbered from SB 674 to SB 871 and amended to reduce mandatory prison terms for repeat arson offenders from 15 years to 5 years with parole eligibility. It also lowered the property damage threshold for third-degree arson from $20,000 to $500 and added a new fourth-degree offense for reckless arson. The legislation includes new requirements for community service and restitution for victims, while setting an effective date of July 1, 2077.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include a new fourth-degree arson offense and adjusted the severity thresholds for lower-degree offenses, making it easier to prosecute cases involving smaller amounts of property damage.

REQUIREMENT

Reduced the mandatory minimum prison sentence for repeat arson offenders from 15 years without parole to 5 years with the possibility of parole.

Lowered the property damage threshold for third-degree arson from $20,000 to $500 to broaden the range of punishable offenses.

Introduced a new fourth-degree arson offense for acts that are intentional, knowing, or reckless, which was previously not a distinct crime.

Mandated community service for convicted offenders and required restitution for victims of property damage.

TIMELINE

Set the effective date of the Act to July 1, 2077.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 213) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Feb 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-21-25 10:20AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Committee

Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 78) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 01-29-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to PSM, JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

12 primary · 0 co-sponsors