Criminal Justice (Law Enforcement)

passed · Hawaii · Senate Feb 20, 2026

SB 2274: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Repeals statutory language that currently authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to: (1) inspect a qualifying medical cannabis patient's medical records held by the health provider who issued a written certification for the qualifying patient; and (2) suspend or revoke a health provider's ability to issue written certification for medical cannabis if the provider refuses the foregoing inspection, or if the medical records do not comply with the medical use of cannabis law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRepeals DLE inspection/suspension powers for medical cannabis, reducing enforcement and criminalization of medical use.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepeals inspection requirement for medical cannabis records, protecting patient-provider confidentiality and supporting access to medical cannabis care under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2539: RELATING TO RECORDINGS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES.

Establishes the right of a person to record law enforcement activities. Establishes a private right of action for any violation of the right to record law enforcement activities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes right to record law enforcement and private right of action, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights within criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 3251: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Prohibits the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Taxation, and Department of the Attorney General from appointing or employing certain former United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol agents and employees as law enforcement officers. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts hiring of former ICE agents, aligning with accountability reforms in law enforcement employment.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProhibits hiring former ICE agents, limiting state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement - directly aligns with support indicator of restricting federal collaboration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Border Security Tags Public Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2074: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

HB 2074 establishes a tiered penalty system for individuals who obstruct criminal investigations (hindering prosecution in the first degree). The bill sets fines and potential jail time that increase based on the severity of the original crime being obstructed - more serious underlying offenses lead to harsher penalties for the obstruction. It directly affects people who interfere with law enforcement during active criminal cases, such as by destroying evidence or intimidating witnesses. The bill is currently in early stages (pending introduction as of January 23, 2026) and has not yet been referred to a committee for review.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by increasing penalties for hindering investigations, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2290: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

By January 1, 2027, requires each law enforcement agency operating in the State to maintain a publicly available policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers and use of facial coverings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires public policies on officer identification and facial coverings, enhancing transparency and accountability in law enforcement per criminal justice reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 3281: RELATING TO GAMBLING ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the criminal offense of promoting an illegal electronic gambling device. Authorizes civil penalties and actions relating to premises on which an illegal electronic gambling device has been used. Allows the Attorney General, any county prosecuting attorney, any county police chief, or the Director of Law Enforcement to take certain actions against places used to commit certain offenses that qualify as a nuisance. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for promoting illegal gambling devices, expanding criminalization within criminal justice enforcement framework.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing

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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

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2382: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Establishes the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program to be administered by the Department of Law Enforcement to provide $15,000 retention bonuses to eligible sworn law enforcement officers that have worked a minimum of two thousand hours during the preceding fiscal year, subject to collective bargaining negotiations. Requires the Department of Law Enforcement to report to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Appropriates funds for the Kupaa Retention Bonus Program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (SD1)

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $15,000 retention bonuses for law enforcement, directly funding staffing needs through state budget authority per bill's appropriation language.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers to address staffing shortages, strengthening frontline operations within criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds $15k retention bonuses for law enforcement officers, supporting compensation and subject to collective bargaining negotiations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Collective Bargaining

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 16, 2026

SB 2737: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Establishes the offense of failure to report bribery by a state elected official as a misdemeanor. Requires a state elected official who knows of or witnesses the conferring, offering, solicitation, or acceptance of a pecuniary benefit in violation of the bribery statute to report the conduct to the Department of the Attorney General, a county prosecuting attorney, a law enforcement agency, the State Ethics Commission, or a county ethics board within sixty days. Defines "state elected official". Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires elected officials to report bribery, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system per bribery reform indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1912: RELATING TO TIME LIMITATIONS ON CRIMINAL PROSECUTIONS.

Provides that for any offense based on misconduct by a public servant, the appliable period of limitations for a criminal prosecution shall not commence until discovery of the offense by law enforcement.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeDelays prosecution timeline until misconduct discovery, aiding accountability for public servants and protecting victim rights in criminal cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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