All Roll Calls
Yes: 206 • No: 29
HawaiiSB 27212025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)SenateWALLET
RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
Sponsored By: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Summary
Implements recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review, established pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024, to amend the Hawaii Penal Code. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Hawaii Penal CodeAdvisory Committee RecommendationsImplementationJHA, FIN
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 2 costs, 6 mixed.
Lower escape charge in limited cases
Escape in the second degree is a petty misdemeanor, rather than a class C felony, for a person held in health department custody solely for a nonviolent petty misdemeanor. The lower charge does not apply if the person is arrested for a new felony during the escape or while it is pending.
Broader liability for helping crimes
People who intentionally help someone commit a crime can face an attempt charge, even if the other person never commits or tries to commit it. A person can also be guilty of conspiring with a co-conspirator’s other partners in the same crime without knowing their names, if the person knows those other conspiracies exist.
Daily bail posting and state-paid monitoring
By July 1, 2027, the state must offer a way to post monetary bail seven days a week for covered defendants in corrections custody. A defendant must be released once bail is posted, but a vendor may charge a service fee. Beginning September 1, 2026, the corrections department pays for required electronic monitoring, subject to specific legislative funding. The department may seek payment for lost or damaged equipment.
New probation terms and review rules
Probation terms depend on the offense: covered felony terms include three, four, or five years, and class A felonies have a 10-year term. A judge can set a shorter term with a reason on the record. Before ending probation early, the judge must receive a probation officer’s report and give the prosecutor a chance to speak.
Drug possession charges and treatment
Knowingly possessing any amount of a dangerous drug is a misdemeanor, and courts must require an assessment in listed sentencing, deferral, or discharge proceedings. Courts may order the recommended treatment. First-degree possession includes 3 to 24 dosage units, or the stated weight ranges: 0.5 to 3.53 grams for listed drugs and 2 to 6.99 grams for any dangerous drug. Eligible people with no prior qualifying drug conviction may receive probation without an immediate judgment of guilt; qualifying repeat convictions within five years carry a six-month jail term as a probation condition, with possible treatment release or up to one year in jail.
Fewer felony labels, shorter deadlines
A felony label in a later law does not make an offense a felony by itself. The offense must meet the Hawaii Penal Code’s rules or carry a possible sentence of more than one year. Prosecution for a petty misdemeanor or violation, including a parking violation, must begin within one year.
Noise rules for renters and homeowners
People responsible for a home or other premises can face a violation if they allow another person to make unreasonable noise there. This includes noise that grossly departs from expected conduct or continues after a police officer tells the person to stop or lower it.
Fewer duties to help police or firefighters
People no longer face a petty-misdemeanor charge for refusing to help police make an arrest or prevent an offense. Refusing to help put out a fire or protect property is also removed from the fire-scene offense. People can still face a petty-misdemeanor charge for knowingly disobeying certain safety orders near a fire.
How courts prove Penal Code facts
When a fact affects how the Penal Code applies, it usually must be more likely true than not. The prosecution or defense carries the burden, depending on whose position the fact supports. This rule can help either side in a case.
New rules for fitness examinations
Courts can use telehealth for fitness examinations when the examiner requests it. Agencies must provide relevant records within 14 days of a court order, and an order can allow access without signed consent. Nonviolent misdemeanor commitments or conditional releases are limited to 120 days. The law also sets examiner rules and requires release or dismissal in certain cases when a person remains unfit.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Karl Rhoads
Democratic • Senate
Cosponsors
Stanley Chang
Democratic • Senate
Lorraine R. Inouye
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/6/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 43 • No: 8
Senate vote • 5/6/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 22 • No: 3
House vote • 4/28/2026
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments....
Yes: 3 • No: 1
Senate vote • 4/28/2026
The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS....
Yes: 3 • No: 0
House vote • 4/14/2026
House Floor Vote
Yes: 41 • No: 9
House vote • 4/7/2026
The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes ...
Yes: 15 • No: 0
House vote • 3/25/2026
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN...
Yes: 45 • No: 3
House vote • 3/17/2026
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The ...
Yes: 9 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/10/2026
Senate Floor Vote
Yes: 22 • No: 3
Senate vote • 2/18/2026
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENT...
Yes: 3 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Act 151, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1252).
6/25/2026SenateAct 151, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1252).
6/25/2026HouseReceived notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
5/8/2026SenateEnrolled to Governor.
5/8/2026SenatePassed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 22; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Lamosao. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 0 (none).
5/6/2026SenatePassed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Kila, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick voting no (8) and none excused (0).
5/6/2026HouseReceived notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
5/6/2026HouseReported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 48-26).
4/29/2026Senate48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
4/29/2026SenateReported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 48-26) as amended in (CD 1).
4/29/2026HouseForty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
4/29/2026HouseThe Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Kusch, Poepoe; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 0 Excused: none.
4/28/2026HouseThe Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
4/28/2026SenateConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.
4/27/2026HouseConference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.
4/24/2026HouseConference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-26 3:10PM; Conference Room 325.
4/23/2026SenateConference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-26 2:35PM; Conference Room 325.
4/22/2026SenateSenate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Chang, Gabbard.
4/21/2026SenateReceived notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 718).
4/21/2026HouseHouse Conferees Appointed: Tarnas, Kusch Co-Chairs; Poepoe, Garcia.
4/20/2026HouseReceived notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).
4/20/2026SenateReceived from House (Hse. Com. No. 694).
4/16/2026SenateSenate disagrees with House amendments.
4/16/2026SenateReceived notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
4/16/2026HousePassed Third Reading with Representative(s) Kila, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Matayoshi, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (9) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.
4/14/2026House
Bill Text
Bill Text
Original
SB2721_CD1
SB2721_HD1
SB2721_SD1
Related Bills
SB 847, RELATING TO PSYCHOLOGISTS.
Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five years under the care of the psychologist. Requires employers to report adverse events, patient outcomes, and escalation protocols relating to services provided under the pilot program to the State Health Planning and Development Agency. Requires the Board of Psychology to adopt rules. Requires the State Health Planning and Development Agency to report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. Sunsets 6/30/2031. (HD2)
SB 2338, RELATING TO HOUSING.
Exempts certain positions under the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) from the requirement that the employment actions and job descriptions of HHFDC officers and employees be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Increases the salary cap for the Executive Director of HHFDC. Renames the position of Executive Assistant to Deputy Executive Director for HHFDC and increases the salary cap for the Deputy Executive Director. Establishes the Finance Manager position within HHFDC. Establishes a cap on the term of employment contracts for HHFDC and the Hawaii Public Housing Authority. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
HB 2344, RELATING TO SCHOOL FACILITIES.
Establishes a temporary, independent Public School Realignment and Closure Commission to develop and recommend a comprehensive package of school consolidations, realignments, and closures based on the federal Base Realignment and Closure model. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires an expedited approval process by the Governor and Legislature. Appropriates moneys. Effective 7/31/2055. (SD2)
HB 2023, RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
Requires the Department of Transportation to administer a statewide program for certification of active intelligent speed assistance systems and select a vendor for the installation and maintenance of systems. Limits the civil liability of motor vehicle manufacturers, distributors, and retailers for active intelligent speed assistance systems. Makes circumventing or tampering with an active intelligent speed assistance system a misdemeanor. Allows the Judiciary to impose the installation of active intelligent speed assistance systems as an additional penalty and as part of a license suspension or revocation for repeat offenders of certain traffic violations. Effective 7/1/3000. (SD1)
HB 2021, RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.
Establishes safe riding behaviors for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of high-speed electric devices in certain locations. Requires all public schools in the State to prohibit high-speed electric devices on public school campuses. Prohibits electric bicycles on elementary and middle or intermediate school campuses. Authorizes public high schools to require county registration and decals for any electric bicycle brought onto its premises and deny entry or require parent retrieval for an unregistered electric bicycle. Establishes labeling and signage requirements for electric bicycles. Prohibits the operation of a moped or electric motorcycle in certain locations. Amends the definition of "bicycle" for purposes of county vehicular taxes. Defines "electric bicycle" in place of "low-speed electric bicycle". Authorizes the seizure of non-road-legal, nonconforming electric bicycles and high-speed electric devices. Defines "electric micro-mobility device" and requires the same regulations as electric foot scooters. Prohibits a person under the age of sixteen from operating a class 2 or class 3 electric bicycle without direct supervision. Authorizes a person to ride an electric bicycle on a sidewalk under certain circumstances. Prohibits a person from operating a bicycle or electric foot scooter under the age of eighteen without a helmet. Repeals the requirement that moped drivers use bicycle lanes. Substitutes the term "motor scooter" with the term "motor-driven cycle". Effective 3/22/2075. (SD2)
SB 2031, RELATING TO CONSUMER PROTECTION.
Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: advertise, display, or offer the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for the sale of live‑event tickets or short-term lodging. Specifies that any advertisement, display, or offer of short-term lodging or live-event tickets in compliance with the federal Rule on Unfair or Deceptive Fees are in compliance with this Act. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)