Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii HB2279: Relating to Expungement Orders.
Status: Signed into law, June 26, 2026
Amends section 831-3.2, HRS, to reflect that a person who is arrested for or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation is eligible for an expungement of their arrest record for that incident.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to expungement orders.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT ORDERS. SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in Barker v. Young, 153 Hawaii 144 (2023), the Hawaii supreme court clarified that a person who is arrested for or charged with a crime as a felony, misdemeanor, or petty misdemeanor, but is later convicted of a violation for that incident, is eligible for an expungement of that person's arrest record. The Hawaii supreme court held that "[a]pplying rules of statutory interpretation, we hold that under the plain language of HRS §~ 831--3.2(a) and 701--107(7), a person arrested for or charged with a crime (including a petty misdemeanor) but , convicted of a violation, is eligible for arrest record expungement because a 'violation' is not a 'crime'". The presence of an arrest on an individual's record may interfere with the individual's ability to receive housing, employment, or other opportunities. The expungement of that record is an appropriate action when the arrest led to a conviction for a "violation", which is not considered a "crime". 2026--3379 H32279 CD1 HMSO Nc~. ~ H.B. Page2 C.D.1 The purpose of this Act is to amend the expungement orders law to clarify that a person who is arrested for or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation is eligible for expungement of their arrest record for that …
Sponsors
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Act 152, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).
- : Act 152, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Transmitted to Governor.
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none).
- : Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
- : Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 67-26).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0) (May 6, 2026): 51 yea, 0 nay, passed
- none. (April 27, 2026): 5 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 27, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading (April 14, 2026): 25 yea, 0 nay, passed
- JDC: recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 1, 2026): 4 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, Housing, Expungement Orders
Common questions
- What is HB2279?
- HB2279 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to Expungement Orders.
- What does HB2279 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to expungement orders.
- What is the status of HB2279?
- Signed into law as of June 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 152, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253). (June 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2279?
- Nadine Nakamura (D, 15).
- Where is the official record for HB2279?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2279&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.