STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2076-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2721

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 2721, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to implement recommendations from the 2025 Advisory Committee on Penal Code Review to ensure that the Hawaii Penal Code is consistent and proportional across various types and classes of offenses, aligned with national best practices, based on evidence-based strategies, and effective and enforced; that penalties are appropriate, cost-effective, and equitable; and that the criminal justice system responds appropriately to mentally ill offenders.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Health; Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation; and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Judiciary; Department of the Attorney General; Office of the Public Defender; Crime Victim Compensation Commission; and Hawaiʻi Psychological Association.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2721, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair