Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 193: RELATING TO CRIME.

Specifies that the penalty for sex trafficking shall be payment of a fine of no less than $50,000 but no more than $100,000, and a definite term of imprisonment of up to 20 years without the possibility of a suspended sentence, probation, or parole. Provides that consent to sexual conduct is not a defense. Defines "sexual conduct". Provides that a minor who reports that the minor is a victim of sex trafficking shall not be subject to criminal liability.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates strict penalties for sex trafficking with no parole options, increasing mandatory sentences and restricting defendant rights per bill's sentencing provisions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking Probation & Parole

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 860: RELATING TO SHOPLIFTING.

SB 860 would increase criminal penalties for shoplifting offenses. If passed, it would raise the severity of punishments for individuals convicted of stealing merchandise from retail stores. The bill does not specify exact penalty levels but aims to make legal consequences stricter for this type of theft. It is currently pending in the legislature after being carried over to the 2026 Regular Session.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for shoplifting, expanding criminalization and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies like reduced sentencing.95% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 390: RELATING TO BRIBERY.

HB 390 proposes increased penalties for bribery offenses under specific circumstances. It would raise fines and/or prison sentences for individuals convicted of bribery when certain conditions are met, such as involving public officials or large sums of money. The bill directly affects people accused of bribery who fall under these heightened penalty provisions. The key mechanism is modifying existing penalty structures to impose stricter consequences in defined scenarios. This is a substantive policy change focused on criminal sentencing, not procedural or commemorative.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases fines/prison terms for bribery involving public officials, directly expanding punitive measures per 'oppose' indicators of stricter sentencing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 607: RELATING TO FIREWORKS.

HB 607 proposes making it a Class A felony (the most serious criminal charge) to cause serious bodily injury or death through reckless or negligent fireworks use. This bill directly affects individuals who handle fireworks in a way that results in harm, potentially facing the highest level of criminal penalties. The key mechanism establishes new criminal liability for fireworks-related injuries or fatalities, moving such incidents from lesser offenses to felony-level punishment. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session after being introduced in January 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill elevates fireworks injury/death to Class A felony, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties, opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1487: RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Increases the category of offense for criminal trespass in the first and second degree and criminal property damage in the second, third, and fourth degree.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases offense categories for trespass/property damage, expanding criminalization and raising penalties per Penal Code changes.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 96: RELATING TO TRAFFIC CITATIONS.

Authorizes the Department of Law Enforcement to establish traffic cameras and issue a citation by mail for certain violations of traffic-related laws. Establishes that intentional destruction or damage to a traffic camera is a class C felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new class C felony for damaging traffic cameras, expanding criminalization beyond typical traffic violations. Directly increases criminal penalties for non-violent property damage.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes traffic cameras for citation enforcement, enhancing traffic safety compliance. Directly strengthens traffic code enforcement under transportation safety indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 1914: RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Establishes enhanced terms of imprisonment for burglary and theft offenses, which shall apply when the value of the property exceeds certain dollar amounts. Increase penalties for habitual property crime offenders. Establishes the selling of stolen property as a theft offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for burglary/theft offenses and expands criminalization by treating selling stolen property as theft, directly contradicting reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 276: 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. Eliminates the court's ability to suspend mandatory minimum sentences.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReinstates mandatory minimums, removes court discretion to suspend sentences, and eliminates domestic/non-domestic distinctions - increasing punitive sentencing per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 28, 2026

HB 2076: RELATING TO ASSAULT AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS.

HB 2076 defines penalties for assaulting law enforcement officers in the first degree, directly affecting individuals who commit such assaults. The bill establishes specific legal consequences for this offense, setting clear penalties without detailing exact punishments. It applies broadly to any person who physically harms or threatens an officer while they are performing duties. The bill is currently in early stages (referred to committee after introduction), focusing solely on defining the legal framework for these penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill defines stricter penalties for assaulting officers, expanding criminalization and strengthening law enforcement protections without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Violent Crime

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2772: RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

By January 1, 2027, requires each law enforcement agency operating in the State to maintain a publicly available policy on the visible identification of law enforcement officers. Adds law enforcement officers to covered public servants who may request any government agency, person, or organization to not make publicly available on the Internet certain covered personal information.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEnables law enforcement officers to restrict public access to personal information, potentially weakening accountability and oversight mechanisms.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects law enforcement officers' personal information from public internet disclosure, advancing data privacy safeguards for covered personal information.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Policing Data Privacy Tags Government Transparency

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