Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1759: RELATING TO THEFT.

Creates the offense of organized retail theft. Provides penalties for organized retail theft which are increased based on value of property and leadership roles. Creates an organized retail theft task force. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with enhanced penalties for organized retail theft, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences - aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1798: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

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

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying critical infrastructure damage as felony, increasing penalties for property offenses.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands critical infrastructure to include broadband/cable networks, protecting internet infrastructure from property damage.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill protects critical infrastructure (including transportation infrastructure) by criminalizing property damage, aligning with transportation infrastructure protection.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 676: RELATING TO YOUTH AND ADULT CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES.

Requires the State's youth and adult correctional facilities to provide free and accessible voice communication services for incarcerated persons in state correctional facilities. Prohibits any state agency from deriving revenue or financial benefit from the provision of communication services to persons confined in state correctional facilities. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish service quality standards and rules for the free voice communication services. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates free communication services for inmates, prohibits profit from such services, and sets quality standards - supports rehabilitation and reduces recidivism risk in correctional facilities.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2369: RELATING TO PURCHASE OF SERVICE CONTRACTS BY THE JUDICIARY.

Beginning 1/1/2027, requires contracts for services awarded to community-based organizations by the Judiciary in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State to include certain protections against inflation. Appropriates funds to the Judiciary to increase the contract price in existing contracts for services provided by community-based organizations in support of fulfilling the Judiciary's statutory mandate to individuals, families, and communities in the State. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates funds to increase contract prices for community-based organizations under Judiciary services, directly funding public programs.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds community-based organizations supporting Judiciary's mandate, including access to justice (a criminal justice reform indicator), with inflation protections to strengthen service delivery in courts/criminal justice system.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2356: RELATING TO OFFENDER REENTRY.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide a certificate of rehabilitation to offenders who have satisfied all sentencing and post-release requirements. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with government and private stakeholders to conduct public education regarding the certificates. Authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to work with state agencies to increase offenders' eligibility for security clearance in post-release employment with the State. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables employment for reentering offenders via certificates, directly reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support and stakeholder collaboration.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1592: RELATING TO ASSAULT.

Elevates criminal penalties for assaults committed against educational workers and sports officials, while preserving appropriate judicial discretion at sentencing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates penalties for assaults on educational workers/sports officials, increasing sentencing severity without reform focus.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 224: RELATING TO PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Establishes a procedure for immediately removing an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises with assistance from law enforcement. Provides that an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises is civilly liable for unpaid utility bills. Provides that a person who trespasses in or upon a dwelling or premises and intentionally or knowingly damages property in an amount exceeding $999 commits a felony of criminal property damage in the second degree. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop, publish, and make available a complaint form to remove unlawful occupants of residential dwellings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal penalties by making property damage over $999 a felony, increasing criminalization rather than reforming justice.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prioritizes property owner rights by enabling swift removal of occupants and imposing penalties on trespassers, weakening tenant protections without addressing affordable housing or tenant safeguards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 371: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

SB 371 creates new criminal offenses for damaging critical infrastructure facilities, establishing distinct penalties for first-degree (more severe) and second-degree property damage. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage facilities like power plants, water treatment centers, or communication hubs. The bill defines "critical infrastructure facilities" and sets specific criminal penalties for property damage to these sites. This law aims to strengthen legal protections for essential public infrastructure systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offenses for property damage to critical infrastructure, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice systems.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly protects power plants (energy infrastructure) via criminal penalties, aligning with 'protect' indicator for energy infrastructure.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 677: RELATING TO IDENTIFICATION.

Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, in collaboration with various agencies and upon request of the inmates, to assist inmates in obtaining the inmates' civil identification card, birth certificate, social security card, and other relevant identification necessary for successful reentry into society, as soon as practicable. Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to initiate the process of obtaining identifying documents for inmates released to work furlough, extended furlough, or community placement programs, by providing the forms necessary for the inmate to obtain civil identification cards and other identifying documents to the inmate as soon as practicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates ID assistance for inmate reentry, reducing barriers to employment/housing and aligning with recidivism reduction goals in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track