Criminal Justice

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1790: RELATING TO POLICING.

Establishes the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to house the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires law enforcement agencies and law enforcement oversight agencies to collect and report certain data regarding law enforcement stops, uses of force, and complaints to the Hawaii Crime Lab. Requires the Hawaii Crime Lab to collect and publish incident-level information and an annual report on the data collected. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to adopt rules, in coordination with the Hawaii Crime Lab, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and any community advisory boards. Appropriates funds for the establishment and operation of the Hawaii Center for Policing and Criminal Justice Research within the Social Science Research Institute, College of Social Sciences, University of Hawaii at Manoa to support implementation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates data collection on stops/uses of force to enhance police accountability, a key criminal justice reform measure.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 2197: RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Specifies a process by which property owners may utilize law enforcement officers to remove unauthorized individuals from dwellings. Establishes the criminal offenses of squatting and fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property. Makes the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree for a person who knowingly enters or remains unlawfully in a dwelling or in or upon the premises of a hotel or apartment building a class C felony, rather than a misdemeanor. Classifies the type of property damage typically inflicted by squatters as a form of criminal property damage in the second degree. Classifies the falsification of documentation typically performed by squatters as a form of unsworn falsification to authorities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates criminal offenses for squatting and fraudulent property dealings, expanding criminalization of property disputes90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 20, 2026

HB 2589: RELATING TO DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENSE.

Clarifies that negligent homicide in the first degree shall include situations where a person causes the death of another person while operating a vehicle without a valid license. Establishes that a violation of this provision shall be a class B felony, with escalation to a class A felony when the person has two or more prior convictions for driving without a valid license within five years. Clarifies what constitutes a prior conviction for driving without a valid license. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties to Class A felony and vehicle forfeiture for driving without license, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per oppose indicators.92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for dangerous driving without license causing death, enhancing road safety through stricter enforcement of vehicle regulations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 1708: RELATING TO TRAFFIC SAFETY.

Upgrades the penalties for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant while highly intoxicated, including outlining additional requirements for probation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies highly intoxicated driving as class C felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per DUI offense standards.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases penalties for DUI while highly intoxicated, directly enhancing traffic safety standards under transportation regulations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2092: RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS.

Elevates the offense of harassment as a misdemeanor when committed against certain public servants in connection with their performance of a governmental function. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by elevating harassment against public servants to misdemeanor, per indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 19, 2026

HB 2600: RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

HB 2600 allocates state funds to hire one full-time Deputy Public Defender III position within the Office of the Public Defender. This bill directly affects the Office of the Public Defender by providing budgetary resources to support its staffing needs. The legislation is purely procedural, focusing solely on funding a specific staff position without altering legal standards or procedures.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for a Public Defender position, directly increasing budget allocation for a public service program per appropriation subject.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds a public defender position, directly supporting defendant representation and rights in criminal justice system without altering legal standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2083: RELATING TO THE PROMOTION OF CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES.

Amends the offense of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, public parks, or public housing projects or complexes to include homeless facilities. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding homeless facilities to drug-free zones, increasing penalties for promoting controlled substances in new locations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 2186: RELATING TO PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.

Clarifies driver's obligations at crosswalks. Requires drivers to stop and remain stopped for pedestrians in crosswalks. Strengthens penalties for traffic violations, particularly in school zones. Creates additional criminal penalties when pedestrians suffer bodily injury. Provides heightened protections for blind and visually impaired pedestrians. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates additional criminal penalties for traffic violations causing pedestrian injury, expanding criminalization of traffic offenses rather than advancing reform.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates driver stops for pedestrians, strengthens penalties, and enhances pedestrian safety - advancing transportation safety standards in crosswalks and school zones.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1759: RELATING TO THEFT.

Creates the offense of organized retail theft. Provides penalties for organized retail theft which are increased based on value of property and leadership roles. Creates an organized retail theft task force. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense with enhanced penalties for organized retail theft, expanding criminalization and increasing sentences - aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1798: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

Establishes the class C felony offense of criminal property damage to critical infrastructure facilities. Expands the term "critical infrastructure" to include broadband, wireless, and cable networks. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying critical infrastructure damage as felony, increasing penalties for property offenses.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands critical infrastructure to include broadband/cable networks, protecting internet infrastructure from property damage.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill protects critical infrastructure (including transportation infrastructure) by criminalizing property damage, aligning with transportation infrastructure protection.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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