Testimony Wanted in Oahu
HB2413 UPDATE: PASSED COMMITTEE – NOW GOES TO FULL SENATE VOTE Mahalo to everyone who submitted testimony. Unfortunately, HB2413 has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and is now headed to a full Senate floor vote. WHY THIS BILL MATTERS: HB2413 could require judges to release most arrested individuals on their own recognizance, including repeat offenders, without fully considering criminal history or prior failures to appear in court. This impacts many common crimes in our community, including auto theft, breaking into cars, burglary, theft, drug possession, and other repeat offenses. WHY OPPOSE: • Reduces judicial discretion • Limits consideration of repeat offenders • No clear data on failure-to-appear rates • Raises concerns about community safety We're at a critical moment for the defeat of this bill. There are only 25 Senators. If 13 vote NO, the bill is DEAD. WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW: CONTACT YOUR SENATOR Call or email and tell them to VOTE NO on HB2413 Find your Senator: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl/ KEEP IT SIMPLE “I oppose HB2413 because it removes judicial discretion and puts community safety at risk.” SPREAD THE WORD Share this and get others to contact their Senators. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: • If it FAILS (13 NO votes) → BILL DIES • If it PASSES → Conference Committee (another chance to stop/change it) • Final step → Goes to Josh Green for possible veto BOTTOM LINE: This isn't over and we still have an opportunity to kill this bill before it reaches the Governor's desk.