Establishes a class C felony penalty for the unlawful possession, control, or transfer of a firearm or ammunition in violation of a valid judicial protective order or restraining order.
Appropriates grant-in-aid moneys to the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the City and County of Honolulu for the Victim Witness Assistance Program.
Maddy summaryHB 2085 removes a legal requirement that prosecutors must prove a perpetrator specifically intended to target an older adult during a felony assault. This change directly affects older adults (typically age 65+) who are victims of assault, making it easier to charge such assaults as felonies. The bill simplifies prosecution by eliminating the need to demonstrate the defendant's "state of mind" regarding the victim's age, meaning prosecutors can now pursue felony assault charges based solely on the victim's age without proving intent. This is a policy change to strengthen legal protections for elderly crime victims.
Maddy summaryHB 2082 increases penalties for bribery offenses when committed against public officials or in specific contexts, such as influencing government decisions. It establishes stricter fines and prison terms for individuals who offer or accept bribes to sway official actions. The bill directly affects public officials and private individuals involved in bribery schemes that target government functions. Currently, the bill has been introduced and referred to committee for review, with no further action taken as of January 2026.
Maddy summaryHB 1954 updates the state's identity theft law to explicitly include fraudulent impersonation using artificial intelligence or materially deceptive media (like deepfakes) as a form of identity theft. This directly affects victims of AI-generated scams or fake media used to steal identities or commit fraud. The key provision adds these specific methods to the legal definition of identity theft offenses, making them punishable under existing laws. The bill is currently in committee review after its introduction on January 23, 2026.
Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system or connecting to a sewer system. Permits the Department of Health, as a pilot program, to certify no more than two residential large capacity cesspools. Applies to taxable years after 12/31/2027. Sunsets 12/31/2032.
Prohibits the use of consumer fireworks except, by permit, for cultural use. Repeals portions of section 132D-3(1), HRS, that generally allow the use of consumer fireworks without a permit on New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and the Fourth of July. Specifies that no fireworks shall be sold to a permittee holding a permit issued for purposes of cultural use more than 5 calendar days before the applicable cultural use. Makes technical amendments to definitions of "consumer fireworks" and "cultural" within fireworks law.
Expands the scope of persons who are required to file financial disclosures to include certain gubernatorial nominees subject to Senate confirmation. Makes technical amendments relating to legislators.
Establishes a statewide 3% annual limit on rent increases under chapter 521, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Prohibits rent increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy and requires notice and certification for exempt properties.
Repeals on 6/30/2026 the provision prohibiting counties from requiring the installation or retrofitting of automatic fire sprinklers or automatic fire sprinkler systems in certain new or existing detached residential one- and two-family dwelling units and non-residential agricultural and aquacultural buildings and structures.
