Hawaii bills · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB 2494
RELATING TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- TARNAS (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Hawaii legislature· description
Establishes factors under which officers may arrest and detain persons without a warrant for petty misdemeanors and violations, and requires officers to document the justification for the arrests. Amends the circumstances under which officers may issue citations in lieu of arrest. Requires officers to issue citations in lieu of arrest for certain petty misdemeanors and violations, unless public safety or flight risks are present or the alleged offense involves operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant or the abuse of family or household members. Requires the Judiciary to promulgate a standardized citation form and updates the required information for citations. Requires citations be visible on an offender's criminal record. Requires the Criminal Justice Research Institute to submit reports. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 12:24 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 2026 Senate | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. | pass | Set your home in Hawaii to see |
| Mar 3, 2026 House | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. | pass | Set your home in Hawaii to see |
Actions
- Jan 28, 2026 · House
Introduced and Pass First Reading. - Feb 2, 2026 · House
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 6 - Feb 13, 2026 · House
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. - Feb 19, 2026 · House
The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. - Feb 27, 2026 · House
Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. - Mar 3, 2026 · House
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran. - Mar 5, 2026 · House
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 917-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. - Mar 5, 2026 · House
Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with Representative(s) Kila, Muraoka, Reyes Oda, Tam voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Pierick voting no (5) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1). - Mar 10, 2026 · House
Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) La Chica, Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Chun, Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kila, Kitagawa, Kong, Lee, M., Matayoshi, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Olds, Pierick, Shimizu, Takenouchi, Tam, Templo voting no (18) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate. - Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 429). - Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Passed First Reading. - Mar 12, 2026 · Senate
Referred to PSM, JDC/WAM. - Mar 17, 2026 · Senate
Re-Referred to JDC, WAM. - Mar 20, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-26 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. - Mar 24, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none. - Mar 30, 2026 · Senate
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3287) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM. - Mar 30, 2026 · Senate
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.