Criminal Justice (Firearms)

in committee · Hawaii · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2061: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

HB 2061 appropriates state funds to establish a gun buyback program, requiring at least two buyback events in every county each year. The bill directly affects residents who may participate in these events to exchange firearms for cash. Key provisions include dedicated funding allocation for program operations and mandatory event scheduling across all counties. This policy change creates a structured, statewide initiative for firearm buybacks without altering gun ownership laws.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates state funds for gun buyback program, directly allocating budget resources to fund this initiative.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds statewide gun buybacks to reduce firearm availability, a direct criminal justice reform strategy targeting gun violence prevention without altering ownership laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Firearms Law Enforcement

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 433: RELATING TO WEAPONS.

Prohibits any person from openly carrying a deadly or dangerous weapon. Includes bladed weapon in the list of deadly or dangerous weapons. Establishes an affirmative defense to a prosecution for the purposes of lawful self-defense and transporting a weapon.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeProhibits open carry of bladed weapons, expanding criminalization of weapon possession under criminal law.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

passed both · Hawaii · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 3040: RELATING TO GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.

SB 3040 replaces the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission with a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention and allocates state funding for its operations. The bill establishes a dedicated state office to coordinate gun violence prevention strategies, though specific programs or initiatives are not detailed in the abstract. It directly affects state government by creating this new entity and directing resources toward prevention efforts. The bill is currently pending committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for new Office of Gun Violence Prevention, directly addressing budget appropriation for a state office per subjects list.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Office of Gun Violence Prevention and funds it, aligning with criminal justice reform by focusing on prevention, a key reform strategy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 26, 2026

HB 1867: RELATING TO SAFETY AT HOME.

Clarifies that a person who uses deadly force in self-defense does not have a duty to retreat if they are in their dwelling or on their property, unless they are the initial aggressor. Repeals statutory language that permits a person to use deadly force at their place of work.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies no duty to retreat in home for self-defense, expanding defendant rights under criminal justice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 291: RELATING TO USE OF FORCE IN SELF-PROTECTION.

HB 291 clarifies situations where the use of deadly force in self-defense is not permitted. It removes the requirement for individuals to retreat or surrender property before using deadly force in response to an immediate threat. The bill directly affects people claiming self-defense in legal cases by simplifying the standard for when lethal force may be justified. This change aims to update the legal framework for self-protection without expanding or restricting existing rights.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves retreat requirement for self-defense, expanding defendant rights in criminal cases per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Policing

Track

passed · Hawaii · Senate Dec 8, 2025

SB 1248: RELATING TO THE CRANSTON DUKE PIA ACT.

Establishes that, in certain circumstances, an actor rightfully present on agricultural lands may exercise deadly force with a right to stand the actor's ground and not retreat.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes stand your ground on agricultural lands, protecting civil rights to self-defense as a form of defendant protection in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Dec 8, 2025

HB 279: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Allows the carrying or possessing of firearm parts only at or between certain locations and in an enclosed container. Defines firearm parts and prohibited persons. Establishes and increases penalties for the carrying or possessing of certain firearms or firearm parts other than at or between specific locations and in an enclosed container.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for firearm part possession, expanding criminalization and opposing reform efforts through stricter enforcement.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2170: RELATING TO FIREARMS.

Establishes mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment for certain class A felonies involving firearms. Changes from a class B felony to a class A felony the penalty for owning, possessing, or controlling any firearm or ammunition while being prosecuted for or having been convicted of committing a felony, a crime of violence, a criminal offense relating to firearms, or an illegal sale or distribution of any drug. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for ownership, possession, control, or transfer of ownership of any firearms or ammunition by a person who a court order has restrained from contacting, threatening, or physically abusing any person. Changes from a misdemeanor to a class A felony the penalty for carrying a firearm while under the influence of a controlled substance. Establishes possession of methamphetamine while carrying a firearm as a class A felony.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeElevates firearm possession penalties to Class A felonies with mandatory minimums, increasing sentencing severity and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Firearms Sentencing

Track

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Jan 30, 2026

SB 2958: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits fees for background checks in rental applications, reducing financial barriers for tenants with criminal records and supporting reentry/reform efforts.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background/credit checks, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections under housing affordability measures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track

in committee · Hawaii · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2221: RELATING TO THE RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD-TENANT CODE.

Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee for a criminal background check or credit report if an applicant provides a certified copy of a recent criminal background check or credit report. Prohibits a landlord or the landlord's agent from charging an application fee if a recent comprehensive reusable tenant screening report is available. Requires a landlord or the landlord's agent to provide, upon request, a certified copy of an applicant's criminal background check or credit report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill prohibits double-charging for criminal background checks in housing, reducing barriers for tenants with records and aligning with criminal justice reform to lower recidivism through housing access.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits landlord application fees for background checks/credit reports, reducing tenant costs and strengthening tenant protections in rental housing.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Firearms Landlords Renters Tenant Rights

Track