Criminal Justice

Prohibits persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or cultivating cannabis 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. Establishes an affirmative defense for, and a conclusive basis for certain violations. Establishes exceptions. Establishes a cannabis cultivator license to authorize the cultivation and distribution of cannabis plants. Requires the Department of Health to only issue one cannabis cultivator license for each person. Establishes limits on: (1) the number of cannabis cultivator licenses the Department of Health may issue; (2) the maximum size of plant canopy for indoor and outdoor cultivations for each cannabis cultivator license; and (3) the maximum plant count of mature cannabis plants for each cannabis cultivator license. Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances relating to chapter 329D, HRS. Appropriates funds out of the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund for the Department of Attorney General to enforce, and mitigate nuisances relating to, chapter 329D, HRS. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

HB 55 would change the legal classification of certain fireworks violations, converting them from misdemeanors (less serious offenses) to class C felonies (more serious criminal charges). This bill directly affects individuals who possess or use specific types of fireworks in ways prohibited by current law. The key provision is the upgrade in penalties for these specific violations, meaning offenders could face significantly harsher criminal consequences. The bill is currently pending in the legislature, having been carried over to the next session.

Requires the court to impose a mandatory fine per violation for nuisance abatement laws related to gambling offenses. Allows citizens who bring civil nuisance abatement suits against places used for illegal gambling the same rights and protections as those afforded to victims and witnesses in criminal proceedings.

Makes a second or subsequent conviction for violation of a domestic abuse protective order a class C felony. Increases the sentencing requirements for second or subsequent convictions.

Includes individuals involved in organized crime among the persons who may be subjected to extended terms of imprisonment for the commission of felonies.

HB 334 makes intentionally destroying or damaging traffic cameras a class C felony, effective July 1, 3000. The bill directly affects individuals who deliberately damage these cameras, imposing serious criminal penalties. Key provisions establish that such actions will be prosecuted as a class C felony, a significant criminal charge. This policy change specifically targets vandalism of traffic enforcement infrastructure, not traffic citation issuance or driver behavior.

Makes a second or subsequent conviction for violation of a domestic abuse protective order a class C felony. Increases the sentencing requirements for second or subsequent convictions.

Provides that a person who commits theft of property or services the value of which does not exceed $750, commits theft in the second degree if the person was convicted two or more times for any theft offenses in the five years prior to the current offense.

Establishes the offense of theft of a bicycle. Establishes the first offense of theft of a bicycle as a misdemeanor. Establishes the second and each subsequent offense that occurs within five years of a prior conviction for theft of a bicycle as a class C felony.

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.