HI HB1197

Amends Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 127A-29 to allow emergency rules issued by the governor or mayors to designate violations as infractions, violations, petty misdemeanors, or misdemeanors, rather than only misdemeanors.

Permits governors and mayors to prescribe graduated penalty levels for emergency rules, providing flexibility in enforcement while maintaining default misdemeanor penalties if no lesser penalty is specified in the rule.

Authorizes county prosecutors to exercise discretion in charging and prosecuting first-time COVID-19 emergency order violations as lesser offenses, including infractions, for violations occurring since March 4, 2019.

Applies prosecutorial discretion to violations of mask-wearing, social distancing, gathering restrictions, shelter-in-place orders, curfews, and restrictions on entering public places and facilities.

Takes effect upon approval.