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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 1618: RELATING TO JOURNALISM.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 1618 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 23, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO JOURNALISM. Primary sponsor: Donna Kim (Democratic), Lynn DeCoite (Democratic), Donovan Dela Cruz (Democratic), Kurt Fevella (Republican), Troy Hashimoto (Democratic), Tim Richards (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (January 21, 2026): Re-Referred to CPN/EDU, JDC/WAM.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires news media outlets to provide training in the ethics of journalism to journalists and editors in their employ. Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Review Board to be administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Review Board to handle complaints and appeals regarding violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to conduct an analysis of the journalism program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences. Requires the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7 · Republican 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Donna KimPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate14
Lynn DeCoitePrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate7
Donovan Dela CruzPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate17
Kurt FevellaPrimary sponsorRepublicanSenate20
Troy HashimotoPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate5
Tim RichardsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate4
Joy San BuenaventuraPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate2
Glenn WakaiCo-sponsorDemocraticSenate15

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Re-Referred to CPN/EDU, JDC/WAM.
  2. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  3. Passed First Reading.
  4. Referred to CPN/HRE, JDC/WAM.
  5. Introduced.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source