Judiciary Committee advances court budget, campaign‑finance timing change and misdemeanor sentencing tweak; votes recorded

The Senate Judiciary Committee met March 24 and approved a package of nominations, budget adjustments and criminal‑justice and campaign‑finance bills, forwarding each to the next stage with committee amendments.

Luann Blake, the governor’s nominee to the statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee, told the panel she has “worked for 20 plus years as an advocate for the right of voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently,” and described using an iPhone to cast a fully accessible vote in Hawaii’s 2024 elections. The committee voted to recommend her for confirmation on the Senate floor. (Committee vote recorded in committee proceedings.)

The committee advanced the judiciary’s supplemental appropriations request, HB 2095, after hearing from Administrative Director Brandon Kim Moore, who said the judiciary seeks approximately $6.4 million in operating funds and conversion of positions and described bond and CIP requests to address security, service contracts and courthouse projects. “Overall, we’re seeking 6.4 million in operating funds,” Moore told the committee, and he said prior lump‑sum spending on the Children’s Justice Center required backfilling this year’s lump‑sum request. The committee’s recommendation restores funding for two cybersecurity positions, clarifies the South Kona courthouse funding as phase one, and directs that private security be treated as a temporary remedy in the committee report.

On campaign finance, the committee passed HB 1520 with an amendment to make explicit that the five‑year statute of limitations applies to criminal prosecution. Kristen Zu, executive director of the Campaign Spending Commission, said the change would “prevent candidate committees and non‑candidate committees from delaying proper reporting on campaign finance reports to avoid prosecution” and explained that most enforcement matters are handled administratively. Several members raised concerns that a discovery‑based rule could extend exposure for minor or inadvertent reporting errors unless the bill explicitly referenced criminal prosecutions; the amendment addresses that concern.

The panel approved HB 1548 (HD1) with amendments narrowing its scope. Supporters — including the Office of the Public Defender and immigrant‑rights groups — argued the one‑day reduction (from 365 to 364 days) can reduce immigration consequences for noncitizens. “This one day difference really has serious consequences,” said Leilani Stacy of the ACLU of Hawaii. The committee amended the bill to conform to companion language limiting the change to certain nonviolent offenses per statutory definitions.

Lawmakers also advanced HB 2050 to increase partial public campaign financing and adjust qualifying thresholds. The Campaign Spending Commission and public‑finance proponents urged updates to reflect inflation and increase the public match (the committee recommended raising some matches to 4:1 and asked for a $3 million appropriation to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund in the committee report).

HB 2494, which sets factors for warrantless arrests and would in many cases require officers to issue citations rather than arrest for petty misdemeanors, produced a split record. The judiciary and public defender’s office supported the measure and sought redesigned citation forms and clearer options for people unable to afford fines; Deputy Attorney General Michelle Poo, county prosecutors and police representatives opposed it, saying codified restrictions on arrest discretion could prompt suppression motions and hamper officer response in dangerous situations. Poo argued the bill “will cause every petty misdemeanor arrest to be subject to challenge by way of motion,” warning of litigation and suppression of evidence when arrest procedure is contested. The committee voted to pass HB 2494 with amendments to citation visibility on criminal records, retention of partial SSN digits, and a delayed implementation date for the new form.

During decision making on HB 2250 (claims against the State), the chair proposed and the committee approved amendments adding blank appropriations and statutory changes to address delayed claim payments (including a request for additional funds tied to a long‑delayed Jardine settlement) and to require certain confidential AG reporting to the Legislature.

Votes at a glance: GM 5‑73 (Luann Blake) — committee recommendation: advise and consent; HB 2095 (Judiciary supplemental) — pass with amendments; HB 1520 (campaign finance statute of limitations) — pass with amendment to specify criminal prosecution; HB 1548 (misdemeanor sentencing limit) — pass with amendments narrowing scope; HB 2050 (partial public financing) — pass with amendments raising match/formula; HB 2494 (arrest/citation for petty misdemeanors) — pass with amendments; HB 2250 (claims against State) — pass with amendments. Committee members recorded approvals during the March 24 decision‑making session.

What’s next: Each measure will move to the Senate floor or to conference as required; committee reports will include the stated amendments and committee report language directing follow‑ups on private security, citation redesign deadlines and recommended appropriations.