Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 391: RELATING TO INTERCEPTION OF WIRE, ORAL, OR ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION.

Removes requirement that all wiretapping applications made to a designated judge be accompanied by a written memorandum from the Department of the Attorney General recommending approval or disapproval.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRemoves Attorney General oversight for wiretapping applications, reducing judicial checks on law enforcement surveillance.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Judges

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 990: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment without possibility of parole or probation for a person convicted of a sexual assault offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum without parole for sexual assault increases sentencing severity, directly opposing reform indicators like reduced recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 18, 2026

HB 1665: RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Requires the Department of the Attorney General to submit annual reports to the Legislature pertaining to the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree. Expands the definition of "terroristic threatening" to include any form of written or electronic communication. Includes additional protected classes that designate the offense of terroristic threatening in the first degree as a class B felony. Amends the offense of obstructing government operations to include obstructing the performance of a governmental function by an educational worker acting in an official capacity. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of online threats against protected groups, increasing penalties to Class B felony, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of expanded criminalization.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyExpands criminal penalties for social media posts under 'terroristic threatening,' restricting online expression and electronic communications.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 58: RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROPERTY DAMAGE.

Amends the misdemeanor offense of criminal property damage in the third degree to include intentionally or knowingly damaging the property of another, if the property is used in a business operation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by adding business property damage to misdemeanor offenses, increasing penalties for property damage in commercial contexts.90% confidence

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 2518: RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

SB 2518 increases penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in the first degree, which is the most serious category of such assault. It directly affects individuals convicted of attacking officers and strengthens legal consequences for these offenses. The bill establishes stricter sentencing requirements, including longer prison terms, for first-degree assault against police officers. This changes the current penalty structure to impose harsher punishments for this specific crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for assaulting officers with stricter sentencing and longer prison terms, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher punishment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 198: RELATING TO TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDERS.

Increases the mandatory minimum jail sentence for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order from forty-eight to seventy-two hours. Requires mandatory mental health counseling for a first conviction of knowingly or intentionally violating a temporary restraining order.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory jail sentence for TRO violations, aligning with tough-on-crime sentencing policies that oppose reform efforts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1317: RELATING TO CONTENTS OF CITATIONS.

Clarifies that the omission of certain information or any error in a citation does not constitute ground for dismissal of a charge or for reversal of a conviction, if the omission or error did not prejudice the defendant.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClarifies citation errors won't dismiss charges, weakening defendant rights by reducing grounds for dismissal in misdemeanor cases.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 792: RELATING TO CRIMINAL STREET GANGS.

Establishes the offense of criminal street gang participation, solicitation, recruitment, or retention. Provides for enhanced penalties for crimes committed by a defendant while part of a criminal street gang.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEstablishes new offense for gang participation and enhances penalties, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing per bill summary.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2191: RELATING TO CRIME.

HB 2191 increases penalties for repeat offenders by doubling both fines and prison sentences for individuals convicted of repeated violent crimes (like assault or robbery) or property crimes (such as burglary or theft). This bill directly affects people with prior convictions in these categories who are sentenced for new offenses. The key provision mandates that courts must apply double the standard penalties under existing law for these repeat offenses. The bill was introduced on January 26, 2026, and referred to the Judiciary and Health Affairs committee on January 30.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill doubles penalties for repeat violent/property crimes, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1486: RELATING TO PUBLIC ORDER.

Makes it a disorderly conduct offense to remain or loiter within twenty feet of a bus stop with no intent to utilize any bus service. Authorizes law enforcement officers to immediately remove any person committing a disorderly conduct offense of remaining or loitering within twenty feet of a bus stop with no intent to utilize any bus service and confiscate any of their personal property. Authorizes law enforcement officers to determine if the confiscated property is to be saved or discarded. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of loitering near bus stops, authorizes property confiscation without clear due process, and increases police enforcement powers - aligning with 'expands criminalization' and 'reduces defendant rights' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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