Bills

SB 1321: Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Oversight Coordinator

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate
Latest Version Date: 2025-02-28

Current Status:

Failed

(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

Beginning July 1, 2025, extends the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Clarifies that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice. (SD2)

Version:

SB1321 SD2

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1321
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 2
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 353L-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) The governor shall appoint an oversight coordinator from a list of three nominees submitted by the commission. The oversight coordinator shall be a person qualified by training and experience to administer the Hawaii correctional system oversight commission and shall be well-versed in criminal justice reform and maintain a firm commitment to the correctional system's transition to a rehabilitative and therapeutic model. The oversight coordinator shall serve a [~~two-year~~] four-year term."

SECTION 2. Section 353L-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) [~~In an investigation, the~~] The oversight coordinator may make inquiries and obtain information as the oversight coordinator thinks fit, enter without notice to inspect the premises of an agency or correctional facility, and, in an investigation, hold private hearings in accordance with chapter 91."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Oversight Coordinator

Description:

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

SB1321 SD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1321
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 353L-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

SECTION 2. Section 353L-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Oversight Coordinator

Description:

Beginning July 1, 2025, extends the term of the oversight coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Clarifies that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

SB1321

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1321
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 353L-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

SECTION 2. Section 353L-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act, upon its approval, shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

BY REQUEST

Report Title:

Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; Oversight Coordinator

Description:

Beginning July 1, 2025, extends the term of the oversight coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission. Clarifies that the oversight coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

Date	Status
Dec 8, 2025	Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Mar 6, 2025	Referred to PBS, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19
Mar 6, 2025	Pass First Reading
Mar 4, 2025	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 304) in amended form (SD 2).
Mar 4, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
Feb 28, 2025	48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
Feb 28, 2025	Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1060) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
Feb 20, 2025	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, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.
Feb 18, 2025	The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-20-25 10:01AM; CR 016 & Videoconference.
Feb 12, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.
Feb 12, 2025	Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 280) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.
Feb 3, 2025	The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fukunaga ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Jan 30, 2025	The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-25 3:15PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 27, 2025	Referred to PSM, JDC.
Jan 23, 2025	Introduced and passed First Reading.
Jan 21, 2025	Pending Introduction.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Mar 4, 2025	Third Reading	Senate Floor	25 0 0 Passed
Feb 20, 2025	The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary	4 0 1 Passed
Feb 3, 2025	The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.

Positions by individuals are not included.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
ACLU of Hawaiʻi	** Support
Community Alliance on Prisons	** Support
Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission	** Support
Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice	** Support
Office of the Public Defender	** Support

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

SSCR1060 SMA SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 19 2025-02-21T21:41:00Z 2025-03-01T06:29:00Z 2025-03-01T06:29:00Z 2 326 1806 House of Representatives 21772 77 24 2129 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1060

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1321

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1321, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2025, extend the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; and

(2) Clarify that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, ACLU of Hawaiʻi, and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Your Committee finds that existing law requires that the Oversight Coordinator of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission serve two-year terms. Your Committee further finds that a two-year term does not provide sufficient time to fully understand the role, build relationships, or develop and implement meaningful policies or projects. This measure will give the Oversight Coordinator the time necessary to maintain independence and focus on the non-partisan work of transitioning the State's correctional system to a model for rehabilitation.

Your Committee has amended this measure by increasing the term duration of the Oversight Coordinator from three years to four years.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1321, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1321, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair

SSCR280 Jasmine Pontillas Davé SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 23 2011-01-28T03:25:00Z 2025-02-11T21:20:00Z 2025-02-11T21:20:00Z 3 449 2534 House of Representatives 22535 97 28 2987 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 280

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1321

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1321 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Beginning July 1, 2025, extend the term of the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission; and

(2) Clarify that the Oversight Coordinator has the general authority to inspect agencies and correctional facilities without notice.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Public Defender, Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission, ACLU Hawaiʻi, Community Alliance on Prisons, Hawaiʻi Friends of Restorative Justice, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

Your Committee finds that currently, the Oversight Coordinator for the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission shall serve two-year terms. However, the Commission found that a two-year term does not provide sufficient time to fully understand the role, build relationships, or develop and implement meaningful policies or projects. Short terms can hinder the ability of the Oversight Coordinator to make significant progress or see initiatives through to completion.

Your Committee further finds that frequent turnover can disrupt continuity, leading to inconsistent strategies and priorities that may undermine the effectiveness of the position and of the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission as a whole.

Your Committee notes the testimony provided and discussion held at the public hearing on this measure regarding concerns relating to the proposed term duration of four years for the position of Oversight Coordinator, and finds that a compromise between the proposed term duration and the current term duration is appropriate to balance the interests of stakeholders and the public.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the term duration of the Oversight Coordinator from four years to three years; and

(2) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1321, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1321, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Feb 19, 2025	SB1321_SD1_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-20-25_.PDF
Feb 3, 2025	SB1321_TESTIMONY_PSM_02-03-25_.PDF

Authors shown for version:
SB1321_SD2 (2/28/2025)