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HB964 • 2026

RELATING TO TRESPASSING.

RELATING TO TRESPASSING.

Budget Education
Active

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

Sponsor
TAKENOUCHI
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 specific details on how funds will be used or distributed.

Rules About Loitering Near Streambanks

This bill makes it illegal to loiter or camp near state-owned streambanks without permission, allows law enforcement to remove people who break this rule after giving them a warning, and provides money for enforcing the rules and educating the public.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes it against the law to stay around or set up camp within fifty feet of state-owned streambanks unless allowed by the government.
  • Gives police officers and authorized people the right to remove individuals who are breaking this rule after giving them a warning.
  • Requires those who break the rules to leave when told, otherwise their belongings can be taken away according to state procedures.
  • Allows for fines up to $500 or community service if someone breaks these rules.
  • Provides money from the government to help enforce the new rules and educate people about them.

Who It Names or Affects

  • People who might want to loiter or camp near streambanks on state-owned land.
  • Law enforcement officers and authorized personnel who will be responsible for enforcing these rules.
  • The Department of Land and Natural Resources, which will use the funds provided by the bill.

Terms To Know

Streambank
The land alongside a stream or river where water levels can change depending on how much water is flowing.
Loitering
To stay in one place without any clear reason, often for an extended period of time.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify what happens if someone's belongings are taken by law enforcement.
  • It is unclear how the funds will be exactly used or distributed among different departments and programs.

Bill History

  1. 2025-12-08 D

    Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

  2. 2025-01-23 H

    Referred to WAL, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 3

  3. 2025-01-23 H

    Introduced and Pass First Reading.

  4. 2025-01-21 H

    Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO TRESPASSING.
Streambanks; Loitering; Camping; Removal; Appropriation ($)
Prohibits loitering or camping near state-owned streambanks. Authorizes law enforcement or authorized personnel to remove individuals after notice. Appropriates funds to support enforcement, public education, and environmental restoration efforts.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HB964

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

964

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO TRESPASSING
.

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

����
SECTION 1.
�
The legislature finds that unauthorized
loitering or camping near streambanks on state-owned land presents significant
risks to public safety, the environment, and the proper management of Hawaii's
natural resources.
�
These activities can
lead to:

����
(1)
�
Pollution of
waterways, affecting water quality and aquatic ecosystems;

����
(2)
�
Increased risks to
individuals during adverse weather conditions or flooding events;

����
(3)
�
Disruption of
state management activities, including conservation and maintenance efforts;
and

����
(4)
�
Environmental
degradation, such as erosion and destruction of vegetation along streambanks.

����
The purpose of this Act is to
authorize law enforcement to remove individuals loitering or camping near
state-owned streambanks and establish clear guidelines to protect public and
environmental interests.

����
SECTION 2.
�
Chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

����
"
�171-
�
Unauthorized
loitering or camping near state-owned streambanks.
�
(a)
�
It shall be unlawful for any
person to loiter or camp within fifty feet of a state-owned streambank unless
explicitly authorized by the appropriate state agency.

����
(b)
�
Law
enforcement officers or authorized personnel may remove individuals in
violation of this section if the activity:

����
(1)
�
Poses a risk to
public safety, including risks associated with flooding or adverse weather
conditions;

����
(2)
�
Results in
pollution or environmental degradation of the stream or surrounding area;

����
(3)
�
Interferes with
state management or maintenance of the stream and its banks;

����
(4)
�
Damages
vegetation or habitats, or contributes to erosion along streambanks; or

����
(5)
�
Violates any
applicable state or local law or ordinance.

����
(c)
�
Individuals
found in violation of this section shall be issued a written notice to vacate
and given up to twenty-four hours to comply.
�

If an individual fails to comply with the notice within the specified
timeframe, law enforcement may:

����
(1)
�
Remove the
individual and any personal property; and

����
(2)
�
Store any
personal belongings in accordance with the State's abandoned property
procedures.

����
(d)
�

Any individual violating this section may be subject to:

����
(1)
�
A civil fine
not exceeding $500 for each violation;

����
(2)
�
Mandatory
community service focused on environmental restoration or conservation; or

����
(3)
�
Mandatory
participation in mental health services, substance abuse treatment, or other
support programs, as deemed appropriate to address any underlying issues
contributing to the individual's behavior.

����
(e)
�

This section shall not apply to:

����
(1)
�
Individuals
authorized by the State to perform conservation, maintenance, or other
permitted activities;

����
(2)
�
Emergency
responders or individuals temporarily seeking refuge due to an imminent threat
to personal safety; or

����
(3)
�
Activities
expressly permitted by a valid state- or county-issued permit.
"

����
SECTION 3.
�
There is appropriated out of the general
revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of
$ or so much
thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so
much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support
enforcement, public education, and environmental restoration efforts related to
this Act.

����
The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the department of land and
natural resources for the purposes of this Act.

����
SECTION 4.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 5.
�
This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Streambanks;
Loitering; Camping; Removal; Appropriation

Description:

Prohibits
loitering or camping near state-owned streambanks.
�
Authorizes law enforcement or authorized
personnel to remove individuals after notice.
�

Appropriates funds to support enforcement, public education, and
environmental restoration efforts.

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