Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

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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

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1867: RELATING TO SAFETY AT HOME.

Clarifies that a person who uses deadly force in self-defense does not have a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or on their property, unless they are the initial aggressor. Repeals statutory language that permits a person to use deadly force at their place of work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies no duty to retreat in home for self-defense, expanding defendant rights under criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 291: RELATING TO USE OF FORCE IN SELF-PROTECTION.

HB 291 clarifies situations where the use of deadly force in self-defense is not permitted. It removes the requirement for individuals to retreat or surrender property before using deadly force in response to an immediate threat. The bill directly affects people claiming self-defense in legal cases by simplifying the standard for when lethal force may be justified. This change aims to update the legal framework for self-protection without expanding or restricting existing rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves retreat requirement for self-defense, expanding defendant rights in criminal cases per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1248: RELATING TO THE CRANSTON DUKE PIA ACT.

Establishes that, in certain circumstances, an actor rightfully present on agricultural lands may exercise deadly force with a right to stand the actor's ground and not retreat.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes stand your ground on agricultural lands, protecting civil rights to self-defense as a form of defendant protection in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2958: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits fees for background checks in rental applications, reducing financial barriers for tenants with criminal records and supporting reentry/reform efforts.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing affordability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2221: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits double-charging for criminal background checks in housing, reducing barriers for tenants with records and aligning with criminal justice reform to lower recidivism through housing access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background checks/credit reports, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections in rental housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 28, 2026

SB 2504: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Appropriates funds to the Judiciary for the enforcement of gun violence protective orders. Appropriates funds to the Department of Law Enforcement to conduct public awareness campaigns on gun violence protective orders.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds enforcement of gun violence protective orders, a criminal justice tool to prevent firearm-related crimes, aligning with reform goals of reducing violence.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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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 both · Hawaii · House Apr 2, 2026

HB 664: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

Establishes the Office of Gun Violence Prevention to conduct community outreach on gun violence prevention, develop and administer a grant program for gun violence prevention, and develop and administer a gun violence resource bank. Moves the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission from the Office of the Attorney General to the Department of Law Enforcement. Replaces the Attorney General with the Director of Law Enforcement as Chair of the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission and includes the Attorney General as a commission member. Establishes the Gun Violence Prevention Special Fund and appropriates funds into and out of the special fund. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/2077. (SD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes prevention programs, grants, and resource banks focused on reducing gun violence through community outreach, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Law Enforcement

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