Hawaii bills · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB 2479
RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE.
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became law
Sponsors
- GABBARD (Democratic)
Cosponsors (1)
- San Buenaventura (Democratic)
Summary
Official abstract published by the Hawaii legislature· description
Allows a defendant to introduce certain evidence to receive a reduced sentence for certain offenses if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced. Allows a defendant to introduce certain relevant evidence when raising the justification defenses of self-defense or defense of others to show that the defendant was subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse by the alleged victim. Allows the circuit court imposing a criminal sentence to correct or reduce the sentence and to suspend or probate all or any part of the sentence imposed. Allows a person previously sentenced by a circuit court to petition the court to be re-sentenced to a reduced sentence if the defendant can show that they were subjected to acts of family violence, dating violence, or child abuse, and that the acts were a significant contributing factor for the offense for which the defendant was sentenced. (SD2)
Text versions
Roll-call votes
State vote data last updated Oct 16, 2026, 4:04 AM.
| Date | Vote | Result | Your legislators |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 10, 2026 Senate | Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). | pass | Set your home in Hawaii to see |
| Mar 3, 2026 Senate | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. | pass | Set your home in Hawaii to see |
| Feb 6, 2026 Senate | The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. | pass | Set your home in Hawaii to see |
Actions
- Jan 22, 2026 · Senate
Introduced. - Jan 22, 2026 · Senate
Passed First Reading. - Jan 28, 2026 · Senate
Referred to HHS, JDC. - Jan 30, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on HHS has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 1:01PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. - Feb 4, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on HHS deferred the measure until 02-06-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. - Feb 6, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on HHS recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in HHS were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Keohokalole, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Kanuha. - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Reported from HHS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2360) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC. - Feb 18, 2026 · Senate
Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC. - Feb 24, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-03-26 10:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. - Mar 3, 2026 · Senate
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang. - Mar 6, 2026 · Senate
Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3081) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). - Mar 6, 2026 · Senate
48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26. - Mar 10, 2026 · Senate
Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. - Mar 10, 2026 · House
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 248) in amended form (SD 2). - Mar 12, 2026 · House
Pass First Reading - Mar 12, 2026 · House
Referred to HSH, JHA, referral sheet 17 - Mar 20, 2026 · House
Bill scheduled to be heard by HSH on Tuesday, 03-24-26 10:00AM in House conference room 329 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. - Mar 24, 2026 · House
The committee(s) on HSH recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.