All Roll Calls
Yes: 225 • No: 3
HawaiiHB 18382025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)House
RELATING TO VISAS.
Sponsored By: Greggor Ilagan (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Establishes uniform statewide requirements for policies and processes for the issuance of U and T visa certifications for noncitizen victims of crime that are consistent with federal laws and regulations governing U and T visas. Requires each state and county certifying entity to adopt a policy and process for the issuance of U and T visa certifications, consistent with those statewide requirements. Appropriates funds for the Department of the Attorney General to provide training to certifying entities and certifying officials on all federal and state requirements for U and T visa certifications. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)
U or T Visa CertificationUniform Statewide RequirementsCertifying EntitiesCertifying OfficialsPolicies and ProcessesTrainingJDC, WAM
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Court appeals for visa certification denials
A person can ask a Hawaii circuit court for a fresh review within 90 days after a qualifying denial or missed response deadline. This review does not apply to decisions by a state court, judge, or judicial officer. If the court finds the person was a qualifying crime victim, met the certification rules, and was wrongly denied certification, it can issue the certification or order the entity to complete it. A person who wins must receive reasonable legal fees and costs.
Fairer visa certification for crime victims
State and county entities must publish written policies, name an official to handle requests, and make the process accessible to people with limited English. Officials must decide within 45 calendar days, or 14 days when a person is in federal removal, exclusion, or deportation proceedings, has a final order, or a qualifying family member will lose eligibility because of age within 120 days. A denial must explain its reasons in writing. Requesters have 45 days after a denial to ask for reevaluation and send more evidence, but do not need to seek reevaluation before going to court. Officials must presume a victim was helpful if the victim has not unreasonably refused requested cooperation since helpfulness efforts began; an investigation or prosecution is not required. Entities cannot add stricter requirements than federal law or deny a request solely because time has passed or a case was closed or suspended.
Privacy protections for visa applicants
Hawaii certifying entities must keep the immigration status and identifying information of people requesting U or T visa certification confidential. They may disclose it when federal law or a court order requires disclosure, or when the victim gives written consent under the listed federal protections.
Training for officials handling visa requests
The Hawaii Department of the Attorney General must train certifying entities and officials on state and federal U and T visa rules. The training must use specified national curricula.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Greggor Ilagan
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Terez Amato
Democratic • House
Della Au Belatti
Democratic • House
Joe Gedeon
Republican • House
Ikaika Hussey
Democratic • House
Kim Coco Iwamoto
Democratic • House
Matthias Kusch
Democratic • House
Lisa Marten
Democratic • House
Ikaika Olds
Democratic • House
Mahina Poepoe
Democratic • House
Julie Reyes Oda
Republican • House
Jackson D. Sayama
Democratic • House
Garner M. Shimizu
Republican • House
Kanani Souza
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 50 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/30/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 2 • No: 0
House vote • 4/30/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 5 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 25 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/7/2026
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The...
Yes: 12 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/27/2026
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 3/5/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 48 • No: 1
House vote • 3/2/2026
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 16 • No: 0
House vote • 2/13/2026
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 7 • No: 1
House vote • 2/11/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA...
Yes: 50 • No: 0
House vote • 2/6/2026
The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Act 142, 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1243).
6/24/2026SenateAct 142, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1243).
6/24/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor.
5/7/2026HousePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
5/6/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Kila voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
5/6/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 144-26) as amended in (CD 1).
5/1/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
5/1/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 144-26).
5/1/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
5/1/2026SenateThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Tarnas, Hussey, Tam, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/30/2026HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Elefante; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
4/30/2026SenateConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-30-26 3:40PM; CR 325.
4/29/2026SenateConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 3:40PM; Conference Room 325.
4/28/2026SenateConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 3:40PM; Conference Room 325.
4/27/2026SenateConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-27-26 3:40PM; Conference Room 325.
4/24/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 725).
4/23/2026HouseConference committee meeting scheduled for 04-24-26 3:40PM; Conference Room 325.
4/23/2026SenateSenate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Elefante Co-Chair; Awa.
4/22/2026SenateHouse Conferees Appointed: Ilagan, Tarnas, Hussey Co-Chairs; Tam, Gedeon.
4/20/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 786).
4/20/2026SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 599).
4/16/2026SenateHouse disagrees with Senate amendment (s).
4/14/2026HouseReport Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
4/10/2026Senate
Bill Text
Bill Text
HB1838_CD1
HB1838_HD1
HB1838_HD2
HB1838_SD1
Original
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