Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 190: RELATING TO SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS.

Allows a person who has been convicted of 3 misdemeanors committed in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, or Waianae, to be sentenced to a term of geographic restriction during which the person is prohibited during certain hours from entering the specific area where the acts occurred. Mandates a sentence of imprisonment for 30 days for a violation of the geographic restriction.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 30-day imprisonment for violating geographic restriction, increasing punitive measures without rehabilitation focus90% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1592: RELATING TO ASSAULT.

Elevates criminal penalties for assaults committed against educational workers and sports officials, while preserving appropriate judicial discretion at sentencing. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates penalties for assaults on educational workers/sports officials, increasing sentencing severity without reform focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 836: RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Mandates courts to impose an enhanced sentence for theft and burglary offenses over a certain property value threshold. Increases penalties for habitual property crime perpetrators. Targets fencing operations and imposes enhanced sentencing to those who knowingly receive stolen property or resell such property.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory sentences for property crimes, expands criminalization without reform elements. Directly opposes justice reform indicators like reducing recidivism or enhancing rehabilitation.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 482: RELATING TO ILLEGAL CAMPING.

Clarifies petty misdemeanor penalties for the offense of criminal trespass onto public parks and recreational grounds. Provides for seizure of abandoned or unattended personal property. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a homeless outreach and case management program. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to identify and restore vacated homeless encampment areas in the State and report to the Legislature. Appropriates moneys.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClarifies trespass penalties for camping, expanding criminalization of homeless encampments. Outreach program is secondary, but primary focus strengthens enforcement over reform.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill appropriates funds for DHS homeless outreach program and requires restoration of encampment areas, directly addressing homelessness through funding and program establishment.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 2377: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

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

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeClassifies property damage to critical infrastructure as a felony, expanding criminalization of property offenses85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExpands critical infrastructure to include broadband networks, protecting internet infrastructure and enhancing cybersecurity safeguards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Broadband Access Telecommunications

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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

Sub-Topics Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2252: RELATING TO THEFT.

Requires a mandatory twelve-month minimum sentence of incarceration for a conviction of theft in the first degree when the value of the property or services stolen exceeds $250,000, whether imposed as a mandatory minimum sentence for an indeterminate term of imprisonment or as a condition of probation, in addition to any other authorized disposition such as restitution or a fine.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum sentence increases punitive measures without judicial discretion, opposing criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Victims' Rights

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 27, 2026

SB 2124: RELATING TO ARSON.

SB 2124 would require judges to impose mandatory prison sentences and maximum fines for individuals convicted of arson offenses, removing judicial discretion in sentencing. It directly affects people found guilty of arson, replacing current sentencing options with fixed penalties. The bill's key provision is a mandatory minimum prison term coupled with the highest allowable fine for all qualifying arson convictions. This policy change would standardize penalties for arson crimes across the jurisdiction. The bill is currently pending in committee review as of the latest update.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory minimum sentences and maximum fines remove judicial discretion, directly opposing criminal justice reform efforts that seek to reduce harsh sentencing policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1461: 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 JusticeEnhances penalties for gang-related crimes, expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences per bill's explicit language on penalties.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 634: RELATING TO DANGEROUS DOGS.

HB 634 increases criminal penalties for dog owners whose negligence leads to unprovoked bites causing bodily injury to humans. The bill specifically targets cases where owners fail to properly secure or manage dangerous dogs, resulting in preventable harm. It directly affects dog owners in situations where their lack of supervision or control causes injury to others. The bill is currently pending in the legislature, having been introduced in January 2025 and carried over to the next session.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases criminal penalties for dog negligence causing injury, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.90% confidence

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