Bill > HB483

This bill establishes the Hawaii Covert Operations Against Smuggling and Transnational Threats program within the Department of Law Enforcement to combat serious criminal activities such as human smuggling, weapon trafficking, and drug smuggling. The program will be funded through a special "black budget" with classified funds and will focus on intelligence gathering and covert operations to disrupt criminal networks. Key provisions include creating a citizen reporting network where individuals can anonymously report transnational crimes and potentially receive up to 20% of seized assets as a reward, establishing significantly enhanced penalties for smuggling-related offenses (including life imprisonment and fines up to $1 million), and creating a special legislative oversight committee to monitor the program's implementation. The bill also mandates annual audits by the state auditor and requires the Department of Law Enforcement to submit annual reports to the legislature detailing the program's impact on crime rates and effectiveness. To ensure accountability and prevent abuse, the legislation emphasizes ethical practices, human rights compliance, and strict confidentiality protocols. The program will become operational on July 1, 2025, with initial funding appropriated from general state revenues for the fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=483&year=2026