Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 169: RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 169 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 13, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO REDRESS FOR WRONGFUL CONVICTION AND IMPRISONMENT. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), LEE, C., Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 4 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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.
Requires the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide written notice to certain persons regarding the ability to file a claim for redress under applicable wrongful conviction law. Requires the liberal construction of that law. Changes the standard for a claim for compensation for wrongful imprisonment from actual innocence to grounds consistent with innocence. Provides for advance compensation for petitioners under certain circumstances. Requires the State to prove, for claims for compensation for wrongful imprisonment, that the reversal or vacating of the petitioner's conviction or pardoning of the petitioner was inconsistent with innocence. Requires reports to Legislature from the Department of the Attorney General. (SD1)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 7
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Rhoads | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Stanley Chang | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| LEE | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| C. | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Joy San Buenaventura | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
| Brandon Elefante | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 16 |
| Mike Gabbard | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 21 |
| Les Ihara | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 10 |
| Lorraine Inouye | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 1 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 636) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
- Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
- The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura.
- The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-11-25 9:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
- Referred to JDC, WAM.
- Introduced and passed First Reading.
- Pending Introduction.