Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1839: RELATING TO IMMIGRATION.

Requires state and county law enforcement agencies to notify an individual in the custody of a state or county law enforcement agency of their rights before any interview with federal immigration authorities pertaining to certain matters regarding civil immigration violations can commence. Designates all records relating to federal immigration authorities' access to detained individuals provided by a state or local law enforcement agency as public records. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRequires law enforcement to notify detained immigrants of rights before ICE interviews and mandates public records for ICE access, limiting federal cooperation and protecting due process.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 1870: RELATING TO PROTECTED COMMUNITY LOCATIONS.

By 1/1/2027, requires all state and county agencies that operate protected community locations to adopt and post written policies that identify nonpublic areas, establish procedures for warrant verification and staff response, prohibit the collection of certain immigration-status data, and require annual staff training and certain multilingual notices. Requires the Attorney General to publish model policies. (CD1)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts law enforcement participation in civil immigration enforcement near community services (schools, health care, shelters), promoting trust and access to essential services while aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing ...85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill designates schools as protected community locations to limit immigration enforcement, ensuring safe access to education and protecting students/staff from disruption in educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects healthcare facilities from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to services without fear of deportation.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects shelters (housing services) from immigration enforcement, ensuring access to housing for vulnerable populations in protected community locations.85% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill limits state/local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement near protected community locations (schools, health facilities), safeguarding immigrant access to essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · Senate Jun 26, 2026

SB 3238: RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

SB 3238 establishes a language access education and workforce development program at the University of Hawaii to train professionals in providing language services. It appropriates state funds to support this program, which directly affects communities with limited English proficiency and government agencies needing interpreters or translators. The key mechanism is creating a dedicated training initiative at UH to build a skilled workforce for language access services. This bill focuses on concrete policy changes by funding workforce development rather than altering existing services or regulations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAppropriates state funds for UH language access workforce training program, directly funding higher education workforce development to improve educational access for limited English proficiency communities.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationFunds language access training for limited English proficiency communities, enhancing immigrant access to services and integration.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds workforce development program training language access professionals, directly supporting employment standards in language services sector.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

signed · Hawaii · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 1838: RELATING TO VISAS.

Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U or T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U or T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. (CD1)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEstablishes uniform statewide U/T visa certification processes for immigrant crime victims, aligning with federal law to facilitate access to protections and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 21, 2026

SB 2798: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Makes permanent the Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program established pursuant to Act 235, SLH 2025. Renames the program as the Agricultural Enforcement Program and expands the program statewide. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationExpands agricultural enforcement program, increasing state-level immigration enforcement targeting workers, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Immigration

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 17, 2026

HB 177: RELATING TO CIVIL IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

HB 177 makes civil identification cards (like state-issued IDs) free to issue or renew for residents, removing fees that previously applied. It directs state funds to cover these costs, ensuring the program is fully funded without requiring payments from cardholders. This directly affects all Hawaii residents who need or renew a civil ID card, including those who may face financial barriers to obtaining one. The bill becomes effective on June 30, 3000, as stated in the official abstract.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs state funds to cover civil ID card costs (removing fees), explicitly using appropriations ($), funding a public service without user fees.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationRemoves fees for civil ID cards, reducing financial barriers for immigrants accessing essential services without explicit enforcement restrictions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 16, 2026

HB 1840: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Permits the Department of Education and charter schools to hire unlicensed individuals as teachers on an emergency basis for five, rather than three, years. Requires HTSB to extend the five-year period in the case of a declared state of emergency. Requires the Department of Education to provide support to assist emergency hires in meeting the requirements of licensure and require the training be mandatory for emergency hires in their fourth and fifth years. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for international educators via J-1 visas, facilitating teacher staffing and access to diverse educators in Hawaii schools.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates pathway for J-1 educators, facilitating immigration integration for international teachers via visa-aligned permits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2875: RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board to develop an alternative pathway for a visiting international educator permit aligned to the duration of the educator's J-1 visa program. Repeals 6/30/2031. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates pathway for international educators under J-1 visas, expanding teacher workforce access to Hawaii schools without funding cuts or restrictions.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationCreates pathway for J-1 visa educators to work in Hawaii schools, aligning permits with visa duration, supporting immigrant integration in education90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 816: RELATING TO DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS.

Establishes the Due Process in Immigration Proceedings Program to provide legal representation to individuals in immigration-related proceedings in immigration court. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationProvides legal representation funding for immigrants in court, strengthening due process protections per bill's explicit purpose.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Immigration

Track