HB 389 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO UNCREWED AIRCRAFT OFFENSES.

HB 389 clarifies that using an uncrewed aircraft (drone) to assist in committing a felony - such as burglary or theft - constitutes a separate felony offense. It directly affects individuals who use drones to aid in other criminal activities. The bill establishes that the drone's use becomes a distinct felony charge when employed to further another crime, rather than relying on the underlying felony alone. This provides clearer legal consequences for drone-related criminal conduct without altering penalties for the primary offense.

Issues: ✗ Criminal Justice

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

HB389 → HB389_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates Hawaii's uncrewed aircraft (drone) laws by clarifying which offenses are considered felonies and adjusting the exemptions for law enforcement personnel. The changes refine the legal definitions to ensure consistent application of penalties for serious drone misuse while protecting authorized government operations.

Scope change

The bill modifies the scope of criminal penalties for uncrewed aircraft offenses, specifically clarifying which subsections apply to felony-level charges and updating the list of exempted personnel.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated the list of exempted personnel in Section 1 to clarify that only subsections (a) through (d) and (f) apply to police, corrections, and fire department personnel acting within their official duties, removing subsection (g) from the exemption list.

Reorganized the felony-level offenses in Section 2 to ensure consistent numbering and clarity, particularly regarding the use of uncrewed aircraft in furtherance of a felony.

DEFINITION

Clarified the language around property damage thresholds and intoxicant influence to align with standard legal definitions.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to TCA, JDC.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 223).

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Feb 19, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors