Criminal Justice

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2688: RELATING TO COMPASSIONATE RELEASE.

SB 2688 establishes a state protocol for releasing incarcerated individuals who are seriously ill or debilitated due to medical conditions. It directly affects people in state custody with severe health issues who meet specific medical criteria. The bill creates a formal process for prison officials to evaluate and approve compassionate release requests, replacing current ad-hoc practices. Currently, the bill is under review by the PSM committee, having passed its first reading on January 26, 2026, with a public hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes formal compassionate release protocol for seriously ill inmates, reducing unnecessary incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 3040: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

SB 3040 replaces the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission with a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention and allocates state funding for its operations. The bill establishes a dedicated state office to coordinate gun violence prevention strategies, though specific programs or initiatives are not detailed in the abstract. It directly affects state government by creating this new entity and directing resources toward prevention efforts. The bill is currently pending committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for new Office of Gun Violence Prevention, directly addressing budget appropriation for a state office per subjects list.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Office of Gun Violence Prevention and funds it, aligning with criminal justice reform by focusing on prevention, a key reform strategy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ 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 17, 2026

HB 2062: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the efficient processing of temporary restraining orders and gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders. Effective 7/1/2055. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds enforcement of gun violence protective orders and public awareness campaigns, directly strengthening criminal justice efforts to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 2540: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Prohibits with certain exceptions, the use of facial coverings and requires visible identification by law enforcement officers and their vehicles in the performance of their duties. Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to establish policies regarding state and county cooperation with federal civil immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement officers from prolonging a stop to inquire about a person's civil immigration status. Establishes criminal offenses for use of a mask or facial covering by a law enforcement officer, lack of visible identification, and unauthorized civil immigration arrest or detention. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires visible ID for officers and bans prolonging stops for immigration status, enhancing accountability and protecting civil rights in law enforcement.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits law enforcement from prolonging stops to inquire about immigration status, a direct protective measure limiting state involvement in immigration enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ 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 127: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a concurrent resolution that formally requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized state-level enforcement unit focused on highway safety. The resolution highlights the potential benefits of combining transportation infrastructure expertise with law enforcement authority to improve traffic management and response to incidents. It does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force, but rather serves as a formal recommendation to the relevant state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to establish a state highway police force to improve traffic safety and supplement county police efforts, which aligns with strengthening law enforcement capabilities.65% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill establishes state highway police force to enhance transportation safety and reduce traffic fatalities through specialized enforcement.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 119: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO COLLABORATE TO ESTABLISH A STATE HIGHWAY POLICE FORCE.

This bill is a House resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by supplementing county police efforts with a specialized unit trained to handle highway incidents and enforce traffic laws more effectively. The resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the creation of the force but instead asks the two departments to collaborate on establishing it.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill proposes creating a specialized highway police force to address traffic fatalities and improve law enforcement effectiveness, which aligns with strengthening criminal justice infrastructure.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill aims to enhance transportation safety by establishing a specialized highway police force to address rising traffic fatalities and improve traffic law enforcement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1247: RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS.

Allows a party aggrieved by the judgment of a circuit court on a minimum term order to appeal to the Intermediate Appellate Court. Requires prisoners to be represented by counsel in any petition challenging the minimum term proceedings. Requires the Supreme Court to establish rules. Establishes grounds for challenging a minimum term order. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires counsel for prisoners challenging minimum terms and establishes appeal grounds, enhancing due process in criminal proceedings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ 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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