Criminal Justice

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 186: RELATING TO HARASSMENT BY STALKING.

HB 186 reclassifies harassment by stalking as a class C felony, making it a more serious criminal charge. This change directly affects individuals convicted of stalking-related harassment, potentially leading to harsher sentencing. The bill modifies the legal classification, moving it from a lower-level offense to a felony, which impacts how courts handle such cases and the penalties imposed.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies stalking harassment to class C felony, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 290: RELATING TO CRIMES AGAINST ELDERS.

HB 290 establishes that crimes committed against individuals aged 60 or older automatically qualify as crimes against elders, creating strict liability based solely on the victim's age. This means any criminal act against someone 60+ would trigger enhanced penalties under this law, directly affecting elderly victims and potentially altering sentencing for offenders. The key provision removes the need to prove the perpetrator knew the victim's age, making the victim's age a decisive factor in classification. The bill is currently pending in the 2026 legislative session after being introduced in January 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates enhanced penalties via strict liability for crimes against elders, increasing mandatory sentences without requiring perpetrator knowledge of victim age, expanding criminalization.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Tags Seniors

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 580: RELATING TO DANGEROUS DRUGS.

Establishes a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment for promoting a dangerous drug in the third degree if the conviction is predicated on the possession of methamphetamine or fentanyl, and progressive mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment if the person has prior convictions predicated on the trafficking of methamphetamine or the possession of methamphetamine or fentanyl.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeEstablishes mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses, increasing punitive sentencing and expanding criminalization per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 261: RELATING TO PUBLIC ORDER.

Establishes the offense of loitering on public property and adds trespassing on public property to the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree. Establishes the homeless case management program and special fund, administered by the judiciary for the benefit of persons experiencing homelessness.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeAdds loitering as new offense and expands trespassing, increasing criminalization; homelessness program is separate but doesn't offset primary criminalizing intent.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill establishes homeless case management program and special fund for persons experiencing homelessness, directly addressing housing needs through funding and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 371: RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

SB 371 creates new criminal offenses for damaging critical infrastructure facilities, establishing distinct penalties for first-degree (more severe) and second-degree property damage. It directly affects individuals who intentionally damage facilities like power plants, water treatment centers, or communication hubs. The bill defines "critical infrastructure facilities" and sets specific criminal penalties for property damage to these sites. This law aims to strengthen legal protections for essential public infrastructure systems.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony offenses for property damage to critical infrastructure, expanding criminalization rather than reforming justice systems.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill explicitly protects power plants (energy infrastructure) via criminal penalties, aligning with 'protect' indicator for energy infrastructure.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1763: RELATING TO PENALTIES.

Establishes heightened penalties for the offense of bribery under certain circumstances. Increases the penalty for official misconduct from a class C to a class A felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for bribery and official misconduct, aligning with indicators of stricter sentencing that opposes criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 1398: RELATING TO PROPERTY.

Establishes an expedited procedure to remove persons from a property who are not tenants or former tenants. Establishes criminal offenses for persons who illegally occupy and damage property, for making a false statement to detain real property, and for fraudulent sale or lease of residential real property.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for property violations, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 917: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

HB 917 would require a minimum prison sentence for individuals convicted of possessing methamphetamine or fentanyl. It directly affects people charged with these specific drug possession offenses by eliminating judicial discretion in sentencing for these crimes. The bill's key provision mandates a fixed term of imprisonment without consideration of individual circumstances, such as prior record or mitigating factors. This legislation is currently pending in committee and has not yet advanced to a vote.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates fixed prison terms without judicial discretion for drug possession, increasing mandatory sentences and reducing defendant rights per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 17, 2026

SB 2900: RELATING TO SPORTS OFFICIALS.

Authorizes the Attorney General to represent sports officials in civil proceedings if the sports official has been assaulted or threatened in the course of legally discharging their sports official duties. Makes intentional bodily injury of a sports official engaged in the lawful discharge of the sports official's duties a class B felony. Clarifies that a sports official includes a school or league administrator. Clarifies that a sports official's duties cover sports events at public schools and private schools.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying assaults on sports officials as class B felony, increasing penalties.90% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 128: RELATING TO TRESPASS.

Establishes the crime of criminal trespass on agricultural land. 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 JusticeExpands criminalization by adding firearm ban for agricultural trespass convictions, increasing penalties rather than promoting reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

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