Hawaii legislation · 2026 Regular Session
Hawaii SB2721: Relating to the Administration of Justice.
Status: Signed into law, June 26, 2026
Implements recommendations pursuant to Act 245, SLH 2024 to amend the Hawaii Penal Code.
What the bill says
A bill for an act relating to the administration of justice. part i.
From the enrolled text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. PART I SECTION 1. The legislature finds that Act 245, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024, requested the judicial council to appoint an advisory committee to review and recommend revisions to the Hawaii Penal Code. In particular, the requested review was to ensure: (1) That the Hawaii Penal Code is consistent and proportional across the various types and classes of offenses; (2) That the Hawaii Penal Code is aligned with national best practices and based upon evidence-based strategies; (3) That grades and punishment are appropriate and proportionate to other sentences imposed for criminal or civil offenses and are cost-effective in deterring crime, reducing recidivism, and providing restitution to victims in a manner that provides equal justice and 2026-2437 SB2721 CDl SMA-l.docx Page 2 2721 S.B. NO. S.D. H.D. C.D. punishment regardless of socioeconomic class or ethnicity; (4) That the response of the criminal justice system to mentally ill offenders is appropriate to the situation; and (5) The continued force, effectiveness, and enforcement of the Hawaii Penal Code. Accordingly, the judicial council convened an advisory committee on penal code review comprising sixty-one members, including sixteen judges representing all courts and all four judicial circuits; the chair of the senate committee on judiciary; the chair of the house committee on judiciary and …
Sponsors
- Karl Rhoads (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Stanley Chang (D, 9)
- Lorraine Inouye (D, 1)
Latest actions
- : Act 151, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1252).
- : Act 151, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1252).
- : Enrolled to Governor.
- : Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
- : Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
- : Passed 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).
- : Passed 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).
- : Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
- : Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 48-26) as amended in (CD 1).
- : 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
Votes
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1) (May 6, 2026): 22 yea, 3 nay, passed
- 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 no (May 6, 2026): 43 yea, 8 nay, passed
- none. (April 28, 2026): 3 yea, 1 nay, passed
- Conference Committee Vote (April 28, 2026): 3 yea, 0 nay, passed
- 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 R (April 14, 2026): 41 yea, 9 nay, passed
- FIN: recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED (April 7, 2026): 15 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Report, LAWRENCE, HANNA ROSE (NS07A), Appropriations, Penalties, Counties, Prohibition, DOH
Common questions
- What is SB2721?
- SB2721 is a bill in the Hawaii Legislature (2026 Regular Session): Relating to the Administration of Justice.
- What does SB2721 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act relating to the administration of justice. part i.
- What is the status of SB2721?
- Signed into law as of June 26, 2026. Latest action: Act 151, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1252). (June 26, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB2721?
- Karl Rhoads (D, 13), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB2721?
- On the Hawaii Legislature website: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=2721&year=2026
Source: official Hawaii record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.