HB 1491 Summary

• Establishes Hawaii law enforcement priorities requiring state and county law enforcement to focus resources on local issues: property crime, methamphetamine-related crime, and driving under the influence offenses.

• Prohibits state law enforcement from assisting federal immigration agencies until the governor declares that the three priority crime categories have been resolved statewide.

• Prohibits county law enforcement from assisting federal immigration agencies until the respective county mayor declares that the three priority crime categories have been resolved in that county.

• Creates exceptions allowing state and county law enforcement to assist federal agencies when the agency obtains a warrant or seeks a person charged with a felony under the Hawaii Penal Code.

• Takes effect on January 1, 2020.