STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3087

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2519

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2519 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LAW ENFORCEMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish new deadlines for the completion of Law Enforcement Standards Board certification responsibilities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of the Attorney General, Department of Law Enforcement, Hawaii Law Enforcement Standards Board, Department of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Maui, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney of the County of Hawaiʻi, Kauaʻi Police Department, and four individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee finds that full implementation of the state law enforcement standards law, established in 2018, requires substantial work that cannot be completed before the current statutory deadline of June 30, 2026, primarily because of lack of funds and staff for the Law Enforcement Standards Board. Due to delays caused by these issues, the Board requires additional time to establish and enforce its statewide certification program. Your Committee further finds that providing additional time to develop an appropriate law enforcement training and certification process will benefit both officer and community safety. Additionally, failing to extend the existing deadline will jeopardize every criminal investigation and prosecution pending in the State and expose law enforcement agencies to potential liability as a result of having law enforcement officers who are not duly certified as required by law. This measure will afford the Law Enforcement Standards Board critical time to meet its statutory obligations while maintaining high standards of professionalism and public trust.

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. 2519 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair