SB 2797 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.

Summary

Establishes a new gift card fraud law, under the scope of unfair and deceptive practices law, which requires merchants and third-party gift card resellers to take certain steps to prevent gift card scams. Requires the Office of Consumer Protection to create model notices and issue certain guidelines. Requires the conspicuous provision of information regarding terms and conditions of gift certificates, regardless of whether the cards are sold in person, electronically, or telephonically. Extends the minimum redemption period for paper gift certificates from two to four years. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 23, 2026 Last action Mar 12, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2797_SD1 → SB2797_SD2 · 2 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the legislative metadata to reflect a second session version and increases the financial thresholds for gift card fraud penalties from $300 to $750. The change makes it harder to prosecute minor gift card fraud cases while maintaining the distinction between felony and misdemeanor charges based on the higher value limit.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding fraud penalties was broadened by raising the monetary threshold, affecting which cases are classified as felonies versus misdemeanors.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased the monetary threshold for fraudulent use of a gift card from $300 to $750 to determine if the offense is a felony or a misdemeanor.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including the sponsor name, session number, and various tracking identifiers to reflect the second session version.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPC, JHA, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 296) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from CPN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2391) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Lamosao.

upper

Feb 5, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on CPN has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-26 9:30AM; CR 229 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to CPN, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors