This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 7, 2026, establishes new penalties for interfering with access to health care facilities in Hawaii. It prohibits individuals from physically blocking entry or exit, making repeated calls intended to disrupt operations, or threatening harm to patients, staff, and property owners. While the law imposes criminal fines and jail time for violations, it explicitly preserves the right to peaceful expressive conduct, such as labor demonstrations and strikes. The legislation defines affected parties broadly to include patients, healthcare workers, and facility owners, allowing them to seek civil remedies against those who obstruct access.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on June 24, 2026, limits the maximum prison sentence for nonviolent misdemeanor offenses to 364 days instead of one year. It applies to crimes that are not classified as crimes of violence and allows individuals sentenced before the law takes effect to request a review of their sentences to reflect this new cap. The legislation also updates the sentencing guidelines for courts, ensuring that judges cannot impose more than 364 days of imprisonment for these specific minor offenses unless the crime involves violence.
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.
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.
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.
HB 2082 increases penalties for bribery offenses when committed against public officials or in specific contexts, such as influencing government decisions. It establishes stricter fines and prison terms for individuals who offer or accept bribes to sway official actions. The bill directly affects public officials and private individuals involved in bribery schemes that target government functions. Currently, the bill has been introduced and referred to committee for review, with no further action taken as of January 2026.
SB 283 proposes increasing penalties for bribery offenses under specific circumstances, directly affecting individuals accused of bribery involving public officials or government actions. The bill would establish higher fines and longer prison sentences for bribery cases meeting defined conditions, such as when public funds or contracts are involved. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure, and remains pending committee review (deferred to February 12, 2025). The bill has not yet been enacted into law and is currently under consideration in the Judiciary Committee.
Reinstates mandatory minimum jail sentences for successive violations of the same order for protection. Removes the distinction between domestic and non-domestic violations of an order for protection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine.
SB 2124 would require judges to impose mandatory prison sentences and maximum fines for individuals convicted of arson offenses, removing judicial discretion in sentencing. It directly affects people found guilty of arson, replacing current sentencing options with fixed penalties. The bill's key provision is a mandatory minimum prison term coupled with the highest allowable fine for all qualifying arson convictions. This policy change would standardize penalties for arson crimes across the jurisdiction. The bill is currently pending in committee review as of the latest update.
