RELATING TO CRIMINAL MISCHIEF.

Children Crime

Active

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

Sponsor: SHIMIZU, GARCIA, GEDEON, MATSUMOTO, OLDS, PIERICK, REYES ODA
Last action: 2026-01-28
Official status: Referred to JHA, referral sheet 3
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about penalties, so this information is omitted.

Law About Vandalism and Property Damage

This bill establishes criminal mischief as a petty misdemeanor for low-level property offenses such as egging, graffiti, and vandalism.

What This Bill Does

Establishes the offense of criminal mischief as a petty misdemeanor for damaging someone else's property without permission in cases like egging or graffiti.

Who It Names or Affects

People who commit low-level property damage such as egging or graffiti.
Property owners whose belongings are damaged by others.

Terms To Know

Petty misdemeanor: A minor crime that is less serious than a regular misdemeanor.
Criminal mischief: Damaging or tampering with someone else's property without permission, such as through egging or graffiti.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify the exact penalties for criminal mischief.
It does not affect cases where damage has already occurred before the law is passed.

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 CRIMINAL MISCHIEF.
Criminal Mischief; Vandalism; Egging; Property Offense; Crime
Establishes the offense of criminal mischief as a petty misdemeanor for low level property offenses.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2043

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2043

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to criminal mischief
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that existing criminal
law makes it difficult to prosecute certain low level property offenses such as
egging, graffiti, and vandalism.
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Instances such as these often do not have an established property value
damage as determined by HRS 708-801.
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Nevertheless, these instances should not leave victims without
recourse.
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Other jurisdictions have
addressed this issue by creating a separate offense for so-called,
"criminal mischief".
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This
offense considers both pecuniary loss as well as substantial inconvenience to
the property owner.
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Accordingly, the
purpose of this Act is to establish the offense of criminal mischief.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 708, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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�708-
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Criminal
Mischief.
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(1)
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A
person commits the offense of criminal mischief if by means other than fire, the
person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly:

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(a)
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Tampers with
the tangible property of another without the other's consent and causes
pecuniary loss or substantial inconvenience to the other or a third person; or

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(b)
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Makes markings,
including inscriptions, slogans, drawings, or paintings, on the tangible
property of another without the other's consent.

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(2)
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Criminal
mischief is a petty misdemeanor.
"

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SECTION 3.
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New statutory material is underscored.

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SECTION 4.
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This Act does not affect rights and duties
that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun
before its effective date.

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SECTION 5.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Criminal
Mischief; Vandalism; Egging; Property Offense; Crime

Description:

Establishes
the offense of criminal mischief as a petty misdemeanor for low level property
offenses.

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