H.B. 965 Summary

• Authorizes the governor and county mayors to establish "emergency period infractions" as non-criminal violations during declared emergencies, in addition to misdemeanor offenses under Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

• Creates a new expedited civil adjudication process for emergency period infractions similar to traffic infraction procedures, eliminating court arraignments and allowing resolution through payment or simplified hearings without requiring officer presence.

• Establishes monetary assessments for infractions of $_____ (amount to be determined) plus a $20 administrative cost per violation, collected into the judiciary computer system special fund.

• Allows defendants to admit violations and pay by mail/internet, contest infractions in writing or at hearings, or request trial; provides for default judgments if defendants fail to respond within 21 days.

• Appropriates $40,000 for fiscal year 2021-2022 to implement the new infraction processing system and clarifies that emergency period infractions are civil matters with statements made in infraction proceedings inadmissible in related criminal prosecutions.