Bill > HR183

This resolution requests the establishment of a Court Security and Department of Law Enforcement Capacity Working Group to address significant issues within the state's law enforcement and court security systems. The group is tasked with finding solutions to systemic staffing shortages within the Department of Law Enforcement, particularly the Sheriff Division, which is responsible for securing state courts, transporting individuals in custody, and various other public safety duties. These responsibilities have expanded without a corresponding increase in Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to persistent vacancies, reliance on mandatory overtime, and the cross-deployment of deputies away from core judicial tasks. Consequently, the Hawaii State Judiciary has faced challenges maintaining consistent security at state court facilities, resulting in increased spending on private security contractors. The resolution highlights concerns that this reliance on private security is fiscally unsustainable, creates accountability and oversight issues, and erodes the state's public-sector capacity. The working group, to include representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, finance, the Attorney General's office, and labor unions, will examine mission scope, staffing needs, recruitment and retention challenges, the costs of private contracting versus public staffing, and accountability risks. The group is expected to provide recommendations and proposed legislation to the Legislature by early 2027, with the Hawaii State Judiciary providing administrative support for the report.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=183&year=2026