HB 2279HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii law lets eligible people clear arrest records after violation convictions

People arrested or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation may apply to clear their arrest record for that incident, with exceptions and waiting periods.

What it does

People arrested or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation may apply to clear the arrest record for that incident. The law sets exceptions and waiting periods.

Argument forPeople convicted of a violation after an arrest or charge for a crime may clear that arrest record, which could help with housing or work opportunities.

Argument againstSome people may still wait years or be unable to clear an arrest record because of how their case ended, including bail forfeiture or certain mental health dispositions.

More detail

The attorney general must issue an order clearing an eligible applicant’s arrest record. This includes a person arrested for or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation for that incident, as well as other groups listed in the law. The person must apply in writing. An order is not available for certain cases, including some cases involving bail forfeiture, leaving the state to prevent prosecution, or specified mental health dispositions. For a petty misdemeanor or violation with no conviction because of bail forfeiture, five years must pass after arrest or citation. For a deferred acceptance plea, one year must pass after the defendant is discharged and the charge is dismissed. The law took effect upon approval on June 25, 2026.

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More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 152, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 152, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 67-26) as amended in (CD 1).
9. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
10. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 67-26).
11. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
12. Apr 27The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Belatti, Poepoe, Ratcliffe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
13. Apr 27The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
14. Apr 24Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-27-26 1:30PM in conference room 325.
15. Apr 21House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Belatti, Poepoe, Ratcliffe, Shimizu.
16. Apr 21Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799).Minor
17. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Fukunaga Chair; Rhoads Co-Chair; DeCorte.
18. Apr 21Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 717).Minor
19. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
20. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
21. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
22. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 672) in amended form (SD 1).
23. Apr 10Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3758) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
24. Apr 10One Day Notice 04-14-26.
25. Apr 1The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
26. Mar 25The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:30AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
27. Mar 23Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3103) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
28. Mar 23Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.Minor
29. Mar 16The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Lee, C., Inouye; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto, DeCorte.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
30. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 387).Minor
31. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
32. Mar 12Referred to PSM, JDC.Minor
33. Mar 12The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-16-26 3:02PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 10Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
35. Mar 5Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 903-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
36. Mar 5Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1).
37. Feb 19The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
38. Feb 13Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
39. Jan 30Referred to JHA, referral sheet 5Minor
40. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
41. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

Criminal Justice

Issue with this bill?

HB 2279HawaiiProcess complete

Hawaii law lets eligible people clear arrest records after violation convictions

People arrested or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation may apply to clear their arrest record for that incident, with exceptions and waiting periods.

What it does

People arrested or charged with a crime but convicted of a violation may apply to clear the arrest record for that incident. The law sets exceptions and waiting periods.

Argument forPeople convicted of a violation after an arrest or charge for a crime may clear that arrest record, which could help with housing or work opportunities.

Argument againstSome people may still wait years or be unable to clear an arrest record because of how their case ended, including bail forfeiture or certain mental health dispositions.

More detail

Where do you stand?

Tell your reps

Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 26
Passed HouseMar 10
Passed SenateApr 14
To Governor
Became LawJun 26

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jun 26Act 152, 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).Latest
2. Jun 26Act 152, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1253).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Transmitted to Governor.
5. May 6Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).Major
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 6Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none).Major
7. May 6Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).Minor
8. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 67-26) as amended in (CD 1).
9. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
10. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 67-26).
11. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26
12. Apr 27The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Belatti, Poepoe, Ratcliffe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
  - Vote recorded The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. Result: pass.Lower
13. Apr 27The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
14. Apr 24Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Monday, 04-27-26 1:30PM in conference room 325.
15. Apr 21House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Belatti, Poepoe, Ratcliffe, Shimizu.
16. Apr 21Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 799).Minor
17. Apr 21Senate Conferees Appointed: Fukunaga Chair; Rhoads Co-Chair; DeCorte.
18. Apr 21Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 717).Minor
19. Apr 17Received notice of disagreement (Hse. Com. No. 780).Minor
20. Apr 16House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).Minor
21. Apr 14Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Report adopted; Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
22. Apr 14Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 672) in amended form (SD 1).
23. Apr 10Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3758) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
24. Apr 10One Day Notice 04-14-26.
25. Apr 1The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. Result: pass.Upper
26. Mar 25The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 04-01-26 10:30AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
27. Mar 23Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3103) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
28. Mar 23Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.Minor
29. Mar 16The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Fukunaga, Lee, C., Inouye; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto, DeCorte.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Upper
30. Mar 12Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 387).Minor
31. Mar 12Passed First Reading.Minor
32. Mar 12Referred to PSM, JDC.Minor
33. Mar 12The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 03-16-26 3:02PM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
34. Mar 10Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Kong, Pierick excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
35. Mar 5Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 903-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
  - Vote recorded Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
36. Mar 5Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and Representative(s) Perruso excused (1).
37. Feb 19The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Hashem, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
38. Feb 13Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 02-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
39. Jan 30Referred to JHA, referral sheet 5Minor
40. Jan 28Introduced and Pass First Reading.Minor
41. Jan 26Pending introduction.Introduced

Criminal Justice

Issue with this bill?

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History

What it does

Where do you stand?

Choose your position

Tell your reps

More on this bill

Where it stands

Looking ahead

History