HB1911 • 2026

RELATING TO BRIBERY.

Active

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

Sponsor: SOUZA, BELATTI, HUSSEY, IWAMOTO, OLDS, PERRUSO
Last action: 2026-01-28
Official status: Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide specific details about the bill's current status or future implications beyond its referral to committee.

Expanding Laws About Bribery

This bill changes Hawaii's bribery laws to include offering or accepting a pecuniary benefit because of actions a public official took before.

What This Bill Does

Changes the definition of bribery in Hawaii law.
Adds situations where giving or getting a pecuniary benefit because of past actions by a public servant is considered bribery.

Who It Names or Affects

Public servants who might receive bribes
People who offer bribes to public servants

Terms To Know

Pecuniary benefit: Money or other valuable things like gifts.
Public servant: A person working for the government in an official role.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill has not yet taken effect and is still being reviewed by a committee.
Does not change existing penalties for bribery.

Bill History

2026-01-28 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO BRIBERY.
Offenses Against Public Administration; Bribery; Gratuities
Adds to the offense of bribery the offering or accepting of any pecuniary benefit because of any action previously taken by a public servant in the person's official capacity.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1911

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1911

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO BRIBERY
.

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

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 710-1040, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (1) to read as follows:

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"
(1)
�
A person commits the offense of bribery if:

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(a)
�
The
person confers, or offers or agrees to confer, directly or indirectly, any
pecuniary benefit upon a public servant [
with
]
:

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����
(i)
�

With

the intent to influence the public servant's vote, opinion, judgment, exercise
of discretion, or other action in the public servant's official capacity; or

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���
(ii)
�
Because of any action
previously taken by the public servant
in the public servant's
official capacity; or

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(b)
�
While
a public servant, the person solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept, directly
or indirectly, any pecuniary benefit [
with
]
:

���������
(i)
�
With
the intent that the person's vote, opinion, judgment,
exercise of discretion, or other action as a public servant will thereby be
influenced[
.
]
; or

�������
(ii)
�
Because of any action previously taken by the public servant in
the public servant's official capacity.
"

����
SECTION
2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and
duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were
begun before its effective date.

����
SECTION
3.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Offenses
Against Public Administration; Bribery; Gratuities

Description:

Adds to
the offense of bribery the offering or accepting of any pecuniary benefit
because of any action previously taken by a public servant in the person's
official capacity.

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