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HB2494Introduced in the House

Relating To Criminal Justice Reform.

EngrossedSenate Ways and Means

Introduced by David Tarnas, District 8

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official 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)

Where it stands

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

March 30, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · March 24, 2026

4

Yes

1

No

0

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Yes
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23No

Bill history

  1. Introduced and Pass First Reading.

  2. Referred to JHA, referral sheet 6

  3. Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  4. The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

  5. Bill scheduled for decision making on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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).

  9. 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.

  10. Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 429).

  11. Passed First Reading.

  12. Referred to PSM, JDC/WAM.

  13. Re-Referred to JDC, WAM.

  14. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 03-24-26 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  15. 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.

  16. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3287) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

  17. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

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