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Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill

SB 778: RELATING TO SENTENCING.

Passed one chamber 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 778 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 17, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO SENTENCING. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). 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.

Prohibits emerging adult defendants from being sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. (SD1)

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 2

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Karl RhoadsPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate13
Joy San BuenaventuraPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate2

“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. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
  2. Pass First Reading
  3. Referred to JHA, referral sheet 19
  4. Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Elefante, Richards. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Chang). Transmitted to House.
  5. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 196) in amended form (SD 1).
  6. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 816) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
  7. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).
  8. 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
  9. 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, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.
  10. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
  11. Referred to JDC.
  12. Passed First Reading.

Showing 12 most recent of 13 actions. Full history

Sources

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