SB 2830 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO MISCONDUCT BY A PUBLIC SERVANT.

Summary

Extends the statute of limitations for offenses based on misconduct in office by a public servant to allow prosecution at any time during the defendant's period of public service and up to ten years thereafter. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)

Issues: ✓ Criminal Justice

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 18, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2830_SD1_SFA3 → SB2830_SD2 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill updates the statute of limitations for prosecuting public servants who commit misconduct in their official duties. It allows prosecutors to bring charges at any time while the official is still in office and for up to ten years after they leave, provided the misconduct involves abuse of authority, breach of public trust, or misuse of public resources.

Scope change

The bill expands the time window for prosecution from a fixed period to an indefinite period during employment plus a ten-year post-employment window for specific types of misconduct.

TIMELINE

Extended the statute of limitations for misconduct in office to allow prosecution at any time during the defendant's public service and up to ten years after they leave office.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'misconduct in office' covering abuse of authority, breach of public trust, or misuse of public resources.

ELIGIBILITY

Clarified that prosecution for misconduct in office can occur regardless of when the offense was committed, as long as the defendant was in public office or employment at the time.

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

Amendments

Mar 18, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 18

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 407) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fevella). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Floor amendment adopted as amended (SD 2).

upper

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Floor Amendment No. 3 offered.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

upper

Feb 25, 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 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 9:05AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 4, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to PSM, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors