Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 29, 2026

GM 1160: Informing the Legislature that on May 29, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3140 HD1 CD1 (ACT 060).

This bill, known as Act 060, amends the Hawaii Revised Statutes to change where the budget for the State Fire Council is allocated. Specifically, it moves the funding for the council's meetings and the salaries of its administrator and administrative assistant from the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to the Department of Law Enforcement. The change takes effect immediately upon the bill's approval by the Governor on May 29, 2026. This legislative update directly affects the administrative structure and budgeting process for the State Fire Council within the state government.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill transfers Fire Council funding to the Department of Law Enforcement, strengthening the department's resources and capacity.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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introduced · Hawaii · Senate May 19, 2026

GM 1114: Informing the Legislature that on May 19, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB389 HD1 SD1 (ACT 014).

This bill amends Hawaii's laws regarding uncrewed aircraft, or drones, to clarify who is exempt from certain offenses and to define specific criminal acts involving their misuse. It exempts law enforcement, fire personnel, and other government workers from liability when operating drones as part of their official duties. The legislation also establishes new third-degree offenses for actions such as tampering with a drone's identification, obstructing emergency responders, causing bodily injury or property damage over $750, flying while intoxicated, or operating without a valid license. Additionally, it specifies that using a drone to commit a felony is punishable as a separate crime that can be sentenced alongside the underlying felony.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies exemptions for law enforcement and defines criminal acts involving drone misuse, enhancing accountability and operational clarity in criminal justice.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 24, 2026

HCR 193: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COURT SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY WORKING GROUP TO ADDRESS SYSTEMIC STAFFING SHORTAGES, EXPANDED STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES, AND THE ESCALATING FISCAL AND ACCOUNTABILITY RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH PRIVATE SECURITY CONTRACTING AT STATE COURTS.

This bill requests the creation of a working group to study staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii's state courts. The group would examine how expanded duties for the Department of Law Enforcement have outpaced available Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to increased reliance on private security contractors. Its purpose is to evaluate solutions for aligning staffing levels with responsibilities, improving recruitment and retention, and reducing long-term dependence on private security contracts. The working group would include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, and finance to develop recommendations for addressing these systemic issues.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates working group to address staffing shortages and reduce reliance on private security, enhancing court security and law enforcement capacity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways Traffic Safety

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HR 125: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STRENGTHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN BY STRENGTHENING STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVES AND GENERATING A PLAN TO EXPAND SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL.

This House Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General and Department of Law Enforcement to improve their capacity to combat human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The bill requests the creation of a plan to expand specialized investigative personnel and strengthen statewide enforcement initiatives, including expanding the Operation Shine the Light program to all county police departments. It also calls for the establishment of specialized runaway youth recovery teams in each county to quickly locate missing youth who may be at risk of exploitation. Finally, the resolution asks state agencies to submit a report with staffing, training, and funding recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement capacity to combat human trafficking and child exploitation by expanding investigative personnel and statewide initiatives.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 9, 2026

HR 85: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WAYS TO STRENGTHEN PREVENTION, INTERVENTIONS, AND PROTECTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

This House Resolution asks the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women to work with the Legislative Reference Bureau to create a working group focused on image-based sexual abuse. The group would include survivors, service providers, law enforcement, and prosecutors to review laws and policies from other states and recommend improvements for prevention, intervention, and survivor protection. The working group must submit a report with findings and potential legislation to the Legislature by early 2028 and will dissolve by the end of 2027. This resolution does not change any laws directly but sets up a process to study and propose future policy changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for survivors of image-based sexual abuse through law enforcement and prosecutorial collaboration, enhancing criminal justice response to sexual violence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 169: URGING THE STATE AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE INEQUITABLE LOCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE LIVING HOMES ACROSS THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and city officials to acknowledge that mental health facilities, sober homes, and homeless shelters are unevenly distributed across Oahu, with too many concentrated along the Waianae coast. It requests that Partners in Care Oahu consult with community stakeholders on issues such as facility proximity to schools and parks, transparency, insurance, law enforcement resources, oversight, and community engagement. The resolution formally notifies various government leaders and officials about these concerns but does not create new laws or mandate specific actions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill addresses equitable distribution of mental health and supportive housing, which reduces reliance on law enforcement for crisis situations and supports criminal justice reform through better community resources.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses mental health facility distribution inequities and requests stakeholder consultation to improve access and oversight, supporting mental health services.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses equitable distribution of supportive housing facilities and homeless shelters, promoting better access to housing resources across Oahu.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Mental Health Homelessness

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HCR 148: SUPPORTING HAWAII'S LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND GREATLY APPRECIATING THE SACRIFICES MADE TO PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES.

This bill is a House Concurrent Resolution that expresses appreciation for law enforcement officers in Hawaii and calls for increased support for them. It does not create new laws or change policies but serves as a formal statement of recognition and encouragement for police officers who protect communities. The resolution highlights the challenges officers face, including high rates of trauma, suicide, and staffing shortages, while urging government leaders to provide better equipment, training, and mental health resources. Copies of the resolution will be sent to state and local police chiefs as a gesture of support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill calls for increased support for law enforcement including better equipment and training, indicating advocacy for funding public safety services.75% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly supports law enforcement officers, calls for increased resources, better equipment, and training to protect communities and address officer challenges.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HCR 133: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND THE DEPARTMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STRENGTHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT CAPACITY TO COMBAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND THE COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN BY STRENGTHENING STATEWIDE ENFORCEMENT INITIATIVES AND GENERATING A PLAN TO EXPAND SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIVE PERSONNEL.

This House Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General and Department of Law Enforcement to improve their ability to combat human trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. The bill requests the creation of a plan to expand specialized investigative personnel and strengthen statewide enforcement initiatives, including expanding the Operation Shine the Light program to all county police departments. It also calls for the establishment of specialized runaway youth recovery teams in each county to quickly locate missing youth who may be at risk of trafficking. Finally, the resolution asks these agencies to submit a report with staffing needs, training requirements, and funding recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens law enforcement capacity to combat human trafficking and child exploitation by expanding specialized investigative personnel and statewide enforcement initiatives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Law Enforcement Policing

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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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Roads & Highways

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