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.

• Requires the Governor to declare that these three priority issues have been resolved statewide before state law enforcement can assist federal immigration agencies with investigation and enforcement.

• Requires each county mayor to declare that these three priority issues have been resolved in their respective county before county law enforcement can assist federal immigration agencies.

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

• Becomes effective January 1, 2020.