Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 279: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Allows the carrying or possessing of firearm parts only at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container. Defines firearm parts and prohibited persons. Establishes and increases penalties for the carrying or possessing of certain firearms or firearm parts other than at or between specific locations and in an enclosed container.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for firearm part possession, expanding criminalization and opposing reform efforts through stricter enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2170: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for certain class A felonies involving firearms. Changes from a class B felony to a class A felony the penalty for owning, possessing, or controlling any firearm or ammunition while being prosecuted for or having been convicted of committing a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for ownership, possession, control, or transfer of ownership of any firearms or ammunition by a person who a court order has restrained from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class A felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates firearm possession penalties to Class A felonies with mandatory minimums, increasing sentencing severity and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

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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

Sub-Topics Bicycle Infrastructure Pedestrian Safety Traffic Safety

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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

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 2576: RELATING TO TRESPASS.

Prohibits persons being prosecuted for or convicted of the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land from owning, possessing, or controlling a firearm or ammunition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes firearm ban on trespass convictions, expanding penalties for agricultural trespass, increasing restrictions on offenders rather than promoting reform.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2075: RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

Establishes a class C felony penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing class C felony for firearm violations under protective orders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Drug Policy Firearms

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2844: RELATING TO IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include an offender whose act of attempting to commit or committing the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult resulted in the victim's death.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by establishing new offense and increasing penalties for nonconsensual image disclosure, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 26, 2026

SB 2254: RELATING TO ABUSE OF FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS.

Maintains the petty misdemeanor offense of abuse of family or household member by repealing the sunset of amendments made to sections 709-906 and 853-4, HRS, by Act 19, SLH 2020. Repeals provisions authorizing a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea for misdemeanor and petty misdemeanor abuse of family or household members offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepeals deferred plea option for abuse offenses, increasing conviction rates and reducing defendant alternatives, opposing reform efforts to limit criminalization.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 538: RELATING TO SAFE ENTRYWAYS.

Prohibit individuals from residing in a doorway or surrounding area of certain places. Gives county police departments primary authority to enforce the prohibition.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for residing in doorways, expanding criminalization (indicator for oppose) without addressing reform or safety improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 224: RELATING TO PROPERTY RIGHTS.

Establishes a procedure for immediately removing an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises with assistance from law enforcement. Provides that an unlawful occupant of a dwelling or premises is civilly liable for unpaid utility bills. Provides that a person who trespasses in or upon a dwelling or premises and intentionally or knowingly damages property in an amount exceeding $999 commits a felony of criminal property damage in the second degree. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to develop, publish, and make available a complaint form to remove unlawful occupants of residential dwellings. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal penalties by making property damage over $999 a felony, increasing criminalization rather than reforming justice.90% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill prioritizes property owner rights by enabling swift removal of occupants and imposing penalties on trespassers, weakening tenant protections without addressing affordable housing or tenant safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Tenant Rights

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