Criminal Justice

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1548: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors that are not crimes of violence, or for offenses that are not crimes of violence punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment for an offense that is not a crime of violence to apply to the trial court for reconsideration of the sentence to conform to the revised maximum penalty. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits misdemeanor sentences to 364 days, reducing incarceration and aligning with criminal justice reform goals to decrease prison terms.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Hawaii · House May 6, 2026

HB 1516: RELATING TO PRETRIAL RELEASE.

HB 1516 requires courts to consider a defendant's actual financial ability to pay bail when determining pretrial release conditions. This bill directly affects individuals facing pretrial detention decisions, particularly those with limited financial resources. The key provision mandates that judges evaluate specific factors related to a defendant's financial situation before setting bail amounts. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced and passed first reading on January 21, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires courts to assess financial ability for bail, preventing wealth-based pretrial detention and aligning with criminal justice reform to protect defendant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes 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 · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 2730: RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates documentation for warrantless arrests, requires citations over arrest for petty offenses, and standardizes forms - key accountability and reform measures to reduce unnecessary arrests.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 2418: RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

SB 2418 would repeal the existing prohibition on drug paraphernalia under the state's Uniform Controlled Substances Act. This change would remove the ban on items like pipes, bongs, or other equipment typically used for drug consumption from the law. The bill directly affects individuals who might otherwise face legal consequences for possessing such items under current law. The key mechanism is the direct removal of this specific prohibition from the legal code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals prohibition on drug paraphernalia, reducing minor criminalization and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of decriminalizing low-level offenses.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2731: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Limits the maximum term of imprisonment for misdemeanors, or for offenses punishable by up to or not exceeding one year, to three hundred sixty-four days. Allows individuals previously sentenced to a one-year term of imprisonment to apply to the court for a sentence modification to conform to the new limit. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLimits misdemeanor imprisonment to 364 days, reducing incarceration time and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of decreasing unnecessary prison terms.95% 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 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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