Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2575: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Changes from a misdemeanor to a class C felony the penalty for possessing, controlling, or transferring ownership of any firearm or ammunition by a person who is restrained by court order from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class B felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes unlawful possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class B felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory minimum sentences for firearm possession during felony prosecutions, expanding criminalization and reducing judicial discretion per bill's penalty enhancements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 2517: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Amends the penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order by reclassifying the offense from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes class C felony penalty for firearm violations under protective orders, expanding criminalization of firearm possession in domestic violence contexts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 963: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

Establishes strict liability for crimes against elders with respect to the attendant circumstance that the victim was seventy years of age or older. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEstablishes strict liability for elder crimes, removing intent defense and increasing sentencing severity, directly opposing criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2413: RELATING TO PRETRIAL REFORM.

Requires release on recognizance for defendants charged with violations, traffic offenses, nonviolent petty misdemeanors, nonviolent misdemeanors, and nonviolent class C felonies, subject to conditions. Establishes exclusions for specified offenses, threats to public safety, and certain other circumstances. Requires findings when bail or detention is imposed, ongoing review of continued detention or conditions, and a prompt hearing if bail cannot be posted. Requires prosecutors to notify victims of pretrial decisions. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires pretrial release for nonviolent offenses, reducing unnecessary detention and aligning with reform goals like reducing recidivism and protecting defendant rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 10, 2026

HCR 185: URGING ALL COUNTY PLANNING AND PERMITTING AGENCIES TO DENY ALL PERMIT APPLICATIONS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, OR USE OF WAREHOUSES BY UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETAINING INDIVIDUALS FACING DEPORTATION.

This bill urges county planning and permitting agencies in Hawaii to deny all permit applications for the construction, expansion, or use of warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. The resolution directs these agencies to refuse permits specifically for facilities intended to house large numbers of people in warehouse settings, citing concerns about mass incarceration and local resource strain. It is a non-binding recommendation that applies to county-level planning departments across Hawaii's major islands. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but instead asks local officials to exercise their permitting authority to block such facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts ICE detention facilities, limiting federal criminal justice enforcement capabilities and opposing mass incarceration practices.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill restricts ICE detention facilities by denying permits, limiting federal immigration enforcement capacity at state level95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 175: URGING ALL COUNTY PLANNING AND PERMITTING AGENCIES TO DENY ALL PERMIT APPLICATIONS RELATED TO THE CONSTRUCTION, EXPANSION, OR USE OF WAREHOUSES BY UNITED STATES IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETAINING INDIVIDUALS FACING DEPORTATION.

This bill urges Hawaii's county planning and permitting agencies to deny all applications for building, expanding, or using warehouses by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for detaining individuals facing deportation. It is based on concerns about the potential for mass incarceration in large facilities, the strain on local resources, and the separation of individuals from their families and legal counsel. The resolution directs copies to planning officials in Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties to encourage them to reject such permit requests. It reflects Hawaii's stated values of dignity and respect for all individuals, regardless of immigration status.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts ICE detention warehouses, limiting federal criminal justice enforcement capabilities and opposing expanded detention infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill restricts ICE detention warehouses, limiting federal immigration enforcement capacity and protecting immigrant rights by opposing mass incarceration and family separation.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 2392: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Specifies that operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver is a misdemeanor for a first offense, or any offense not preceded within a ten-year period. Specifies and imposes additional sentencing and probation requirements for a person convicted of a misdemeanor operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant offense. Upgrades the offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver to a class C felony under certain conditions. Specifies and imposes additional sentencing and probation requirements for a class C felony offense of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while a highly intoxicated driver. Prohibits a deferred acceptance of guilty plea for persons convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates DUI to class C felony, increasing penalties for intoxicated driving, aligning with stricter sentencing (oppose indicator)95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill strengthens traffic safety by increasing penalties for DUI, directly enhancing vehicle regulation and road safety standards within transportation policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2250: RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by adding homeless facilities to prohibited zones for promoting controlled substances, increasing drug offense penalties in vulnerable areas.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2377: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

Establishes the offense of criminal property damage to critical infrastructure facilities as a class C felony. Expands the term "critical infrastructure" to include broadband, wireless, and cable networks. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies property damage to critical infrastructure as a felony, expanding criminalization of property offenses85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands critical infrastructure to include broadband networks, protecting internet infrastructure and enhancing cybersecurity safeguards.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1963: RELATING TO IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate images or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult was the proximate cause of the victim's death. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense and increasing penalties for severe cases, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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