STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1459-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 3251

S.D. 2

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 Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 3251, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SAFETY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the Department of Law Enforcement, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Taxation, and Department of the Attorney General from appointing or employing certain former United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol agents and employees as law enforcement officers.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Imua Alliance; Mercado de la Raza; Kona Indivisible; Matriarchy Rising; Indivisible Hilo One; Roots Reborn; Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee finds that recent actions by certain federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents have raised serious concerns regarding compliance with constitutional protections and due process, including allegations of excessive use of force. Your Committee further finds that anticipated changes in federal leadership and funding may result in a reduced federal immigration enforcement workforce, increasing the likelihood that former agents will seek employment in state law enforcement positions.

Your Committee also recognizes that the use of face coverings and other methods to conceal identity has made it difficult to determine which federal agents may have engaged in unlawful conduct. Accordingly, this measure seeks to protect the public by prohibiting certain departments from appointing or employing specified former Immigration and Customs Enforcement or Border Patrol agents and employees in state law enforcement positions that confer police powers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3251, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

JACKSON D. SAYAMA, Chair