Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2082: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

HB 2082 increases penalties for bribery offenses when committed against public officials or in specific contexts, such as influencing government decisions. It establishes stricter fines and prison terms for individuals who offer or accept bribes to sway official actions. The bill directly affects public officials and private individuals involved in bribery schemes that target government functions. Currently, the bill has been introduced and referred to committee for review, with no further action taken as of January 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for bribery, expanding criminalization and strengthening punitive measures under criminal justice framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 2, 2026

HB 2402: RELATING TO GAMBLING.

HB 2402 creates a new misdemeanor offense for promoting gambling in the third degree. This bill directly affects individuals or businesses that actively encourage or facilitate gambling activities, such as operating unlicensed betting services. The key provision establishes a specific criminal penalty for these promotion activities, making them punishable as a misdemeanor under state law. The bill is currently in its early stages, having been introduced on January 27, 2026, and referred to committee on February 2, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new misdemeanor offense for promoting gambling, expanding criminalization under criminal justice framework95% confidence

Track

passed · Hawaii · House Mar 12, 2026

HB 1963: 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 images or private images against a minor or vulnerable adult was the proximate cause of the victim's death. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offense and increasing penalties for severe cases, aligning with 'expands criminalization' indicator.85% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 896: RELATING TO SEXUAL OFFENSES.

Provides for a sentence of death or life imprisonment without possibility of parole upon a conviction for sex trafficking. Requires a separate sentencing proceeding by a jury, except if waived by the defendant, for a conviction for sex trafficking. Makes commercial sexual exploitation a class A felony. Makes conforming amendments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates death penalty or life without parole for sex trafficking, increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 953: RELATING TO MEDICAL CANNABIS.

Prohibits persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or producing, manufacturing, or selling cannabis products without a license from the Department of Health. Prohibits individuals from providing certain services to individuals engaging in unlicensed cannabis operations. Requires the Department of Health to send a cease and desist notice to violators. Establishes criminal penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill imposes criminal penalties for unlicensed cannabis operations, expanding criminalization in medical cannabis regulation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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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

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Driver Licensing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 285: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Prohibits the possession, transfer, and sale of ghost guns. Establishes mandatory minimum sentencing for use of a ghost gun in the commission of a felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory minimums for ghost gun felonies, increasing sentencing severity without reform elements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1063: RELATING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD.

HB 1063 proposes to classify intentionally causing bodily injury to a National Guard member while they are performing official duties as a class C felony. This bill directly affects individuals who assault Guard members during service, increasing the legal consequences for such actions. The key provision raises the penalty for these specific assaults from a lower offense to a felony, reflecting the seriousness of harming personnel on duty. The bill is currently pending introduction in the 2025 session and has not yet been voted on by any committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRaises assault on National Guard to class C felony, increasing penalties for specific offenses - aligns with 'increases mandatory sentences' indicator for 'oppose' stance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 283: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

SB 283 proposes increasing penalties for bribery offenses under specific circumstances, directly affecting individuals accused of bribery involving public officials or government actions. The bill would establish higher fines and longer prison sentences for bribery cases meeting defined conditions, such as when public funds or contracts are involved. This is a substantive policy change, not a procedural measure, and remains pending committee review (deferred to February 12, 2025). The bill has not yet been enacted into law and is currently under consideration in the Judiciary Committee.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for bribery involving public funds, expanding criminalization and raising mandatory sentences - aligns with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 383: RELATING TO ORDERS FOR PROTECTION.

Reinstates mandatory minimum jail sentences for successive violations of the same order for protection. Removes the distinction between domestic and non-domestic violations of an order for protection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReinstates mandatory minimums for protection order violations, removing domestic/non-domestic distinctions - increases sentencing severity per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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