SB 816 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO DUE PROCESS PROTECTIONS.

Summary
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)
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Mar 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB816_SD1 → SB816_SD2 · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill version (SD2) is a reformatted and restructured version of the original (SD1) that adds metadata headers, reorganizes sections, and clarifies the effective date. The substantive policy content regarding the immigration legal aid program remains largely consistent, with minor wording adjustments to eligibility and reporting requirements.
Scope change
The bill's scope remains focused on establishing a state-funded legal representation program for immigrants facing immigration court proceedings, with no significant changes to the program's core purpose or target population.
TECHNICAL

Added metadata headers including author names, timestamps, and document control numbers that were not present in the original version.

Changed Section 3 from appropriating funds to amending Chapter 601 to designate existing sections as Part I, which is a technical reorganization rather than a substantive change.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from April 23, 2057 (unchanged from SD1) but reorganized the section numbering and placement.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized Section 2 to separate 'Powers and duties' and 'Eligibility' into distinct subsections with clearer formatting.

Added Section 5 to explicitly state that the judiciary must expend appropriated funds for the purposes of this Act.

Modified Section 4 to add that appropriated funds may be used for administrative costs, which was not explicitly stated in SD1.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

23–2
Passed
Total votes 25
Mar 4, 2025
D Democratic22
22 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican3
1 Yea 2 Nay
66% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
23
Key actions
7
Committee
12
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on FIN as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Shimizu voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda voting no (6) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5).
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1459) as amended in HD 2, recommending referral to FIN.
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
lower
Mar 14, 2025
Committee
Reported from ECD (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1239) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA.
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Tam, Templo, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Matsumoto; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Holt.
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
Referred to ECD, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Introduced
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 201) in amended form (SD 2).
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-19-25 10:02AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 156) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
upper
Jan 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
upper
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
Referred to JDC, WAM.
upper
Jan 17, 2025
Introduced
Introduced.
upper
5 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors