CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 56-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2568

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 2568, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC SERVANTS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to elevate the offense of harassment to a misdemeanor when committed against a public servant because of or during their performance of official duties.

Your Committee on Conference finds that public servants increasingly face harassment, threats, and acts of violence as a direct result of performing their official duties, creating safety risks that undermine the effective functioning of government. This measure will strengthen deterrence and help safeguard public officials so they can continue carrying out essential government functions without fear.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the offense of harassment is a misdemeanor when committed against a public servant because of or while the public servant is performing official duties; and

(2) Making it effective upon its approval.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2568, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2568, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JACKSON D. SAYAMA Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair
____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair