HB1189 • 2026

RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: IWAMOTO, Amato
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide information on penalties for non-compliance or how this will affect searches of public property or vehicles.

Law Enforcement Search Notice Requirements

This bill requires law enforcement to post a notice after searching private property, including the reason for entering and contact information, and to secure any entrances used during the search.

What This Bill Does

Requires police officers to put up a sign on private property they have searched with or without a warrant.
The sign must include details like why the search happened and how to get in touch with an officer involved.
Police must fix any doors, gates, or locks that were opened during the search before leaving.

Who It Names or Affects

Law enforcement officers who conduct searches on private property
Owners and residents of properties where searches occur

Terms To Know

Warrant: A legal document that allows police to search a place or take someone into custody.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the notice is not posted correctly.
It's unclear how this will affect searches of public property or vehicles.
Details about penalties for non-compliance are not provided in the summary.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-22 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.
Law Enforcement; Warrants; Searches; Private Property
Requires law enforcement to post notice that a warranted or warrantless search has been conducted on a property. Requires a law enforcement officer to secure any entrance used by an officer in the search.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1189

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1189

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

related
to law enforcement
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION 1.
�
Section
803-37, Hawaii
Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

����
"
�803-37
�
Power of officer serving[
.
]
;
notice of search.
�
(a)
�
The officer charged with the warrant[
, if
a house, store, or other building is designated as the place to be searched,
]
may enter [
it
]
the house, store, or other building designated as the
place to be searched
without demanding permission if the officer finds [
it
]

the house, store, or other building
open.
�
If the doors
, gates, or other bars to the
entrance
are shut, the officer shall declare the officer's office and the
officer's business and demand entrance.
�

If the doors, gates, or other bars to the entrance are not immediately
opened, the officer may break them.
�
When
entered, the officer may demand that any other part of the house, or any closet
or other closed place in which the officer has reason to believe the property
is concealed, may be opened for the officer's inspection, and if refused the
officer may break [
them.
]
the doors, gates, or other bars to the
entrance.

����
(b)
�

Upon completion of any warranted or warrantless search of a house,
store, or other building, the officer shall post notice of the search that
shall include the report number, date, time, reason for entering, and office
contact number for at least one of the officers involved in the search.
�
Any entrances used by an officer shall be
secured upon completion of a warranted or warrantless search.

����
(c)
�

If an electronic device or storage media is designated as the item to be
searched, the court may authorize the officer to obtain technical assistance
from individuals or entities, located within or outside the State, in the
examination of the item; provided that the officer shall submit a sworn
statement to the judge or magistrate, certifying the reliability and
qualifications of the individuals or entities and the reason their assistance
is necessary; provided further that no individual or entity shall be compelled
to provide technical assistance without their consent."

����
SECTION 2.
�

Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 3.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Law
Enforcement; Warrants; Searches; Private Property

Description:

Requires
law enforcement to post notice that a warranted or warrantless search has been
conducted on a property.
�
Requires a law
enforcement officer to secure any entrance used by an officer in the search.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.