SB 2494HawaiiProcess complete

Bribery cases would have a nine-year filing window

The measure would give state prosecutors more time to bring bribery cases that may be delayed while federal investigations or prosecutions proceed.

What it does

State prosecutors would have nine years from a bribery offense to start a case involving a benefit meant to influence a public servant's official actions.

Argument forA longer filing window could give state prosecutors time to bring bribery cases delayed while federal investigations or prosecutions proceed.

Argument againstA longer filing window could leave people accused of bribery waiting years to learn whether the state will bring a case.

More detail

The text sets a nine-year deadline for starting a bribery prosecution. The deadline covers bribery involving a benefit offered to influence a public servant's official actions, or accepted by a public servant for that purpose. The text says a person has a defense if they gave or agreed to give the benefit because of extortion or coercion. The nine-year period runs from the date the bribery offense is committed.

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Tell your reps

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

More on this bill

Where it stands

IntroducedJan 22
Passed SenateMar 6
Passed HouseApr 6
To GovernorMay 7
Became LawJul 10

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 10Act 225, 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1327).Latest
2. Jul 10Act 225, on 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1327).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Enrolled to Governor.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 in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 5Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).Minor
7. May 1Deferred one day 05-06-26.Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
8. May 1Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).Major
9. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 12-26).
10. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 12-26) as amended in (CD 1).
12. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
13. Apr 22The 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) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): 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
14. Apr 22The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
15. Apr 21Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-22-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.
16. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Poepoe, Shimizu.
17. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).Minor
18. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Gabbard, Awa.
19. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).Minor
20. Apr 10Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).Minor
21. Apr 7Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 477).Minor
22. Apr 7Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
23. Apr 6Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Olds, Quinlan excused (3). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
24. Apr 1Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1586-26) 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
25. Apr 1Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
26. Mar 19The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
27. Mar 17Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
28. Mar 10Pass First ReadingMinor
29. Mar 10Referred to JHA, referral sheet 16Minor
30. Mar 6Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
31. Mar 6Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 57).Minor
32. Mar 5Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2801) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
33. Mar 5Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.Minor
34. Mar 5One Day Notice 3/06/2026.
35. Feb 24The 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
36. Feb 13The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-24-26 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
37. Feb 3The committee(s) on PSM deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-04-26 3:02PM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
38. Feb 2Re-Referred to JDC.Minor
39. Jan 30The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 3:02PM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
40. Jan 28Referred to PSM, JDC.Minor
41. Jan 22Introduced.Minor
42. Jan 22Passed First Reading.Introduced

Criminal JusticeGovernment & Ethics

Issue with this bill?

SB 2494HawaiiProcess complete

Bribery cases would have a nine-year filing window

The measure would give state prosecutors more time to bring bribery cases that may be delayed while federal investigations or prosecutions proceed.

What it does

State prosecutors would have nine years from a bribery offense to start a case involving a benefit meant to influence a public servant's official actions.

Argument forA longer filing window could give state prosecutors time to bring bribery cases delayed while federal investigations or prosecutions proceed.

Argument againstA longer filing window could leave people accused of bribery waiting years to learn whether the state will bring a case.

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 22
Passed SenateMar 6
Passed HouseApr 6
To GovernorMay 7
Became LawJul 10

Looking ahead

No hearings or votes scheduled.

History

2026
1. Jul 10Act 225, 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1327).Latest
2. Jul 10Act 225, on 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1327).Became Law
3. May 8Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).Minor
4. May 7Enrolled to Governor.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 in CD 1. Result: pass.Lower
6. May 5Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 814).Minor
7. May 1Deferred one day 05-06-26.Minor
  - Vote recorded Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Result: pass.Upper
8. May 1Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fukunaga).Major
9. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 12-26).
10. Apr 2948 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-01-26.
11. Apr 29Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 12-26) as amended in (CD 1).
12. Apr 29Forty-eight (48) hours notice Friday, 05-01-26.
13. Apr 22The 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) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): 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
14. Apr 22The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.Minor
15. Apr 21Bill scheduled for Conference Committee Meeting on Wednesday, 04-22-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.
16. Apr 20House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Poepoe, Shimizu.
17. Apr 20Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787).Minor
18. Apr 20Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Gabbard, Awa.
19. Apr 20Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).Minor
20. Apr 10Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 564).Minor
21. Apr 7Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 477).Minor
22. Apr 7Senate disagrees with House amendments.Minor
23. Apr 6Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Olds, Quinlan excused (3). Transmitted to Senate.Passed House
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
24. Apr 1Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1586-26) 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
25. Apr 1Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
26. Mar 19The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama, Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama.Minor
  - Vote recorded The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. Result: pass.Lower
27. Mar 17Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Thursday, 03-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
28. Mar 10Pass First ReadingMinor
29. Mar 10Referred to JHA, referral sheet 16Minor
30. Mar 6Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.Passed Senate
  - Vote recorded Passed Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
31. Mar 6Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 57).Minor
32. Mar 5Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2801) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
33. Mar 5Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.Minor
34. Mar 5One Day Notice 3/06/2026.
35. Feb 24The 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
36. Feb 13The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-24-26 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
37. Feb 3The committee(s) on PSM deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-04-26 3:02PM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
38. Feb 2Re-Referred to JDC.Minor
39. Jan 30The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-26 3:02PM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
40. Jan 28Referred to PSM, JDC.Minor
41. Jan 22Introduced.Minor
42. Jan 22Passed First Reading.Introduced

Criminal JusticeGovernment & Ethics

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