HB1252 requires the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS), in consultation with the Legislature and other applicable entities, to plan and implement a set of security upgrades at the Hawaii State Capitol. The bill’s minimum requirements include controlled access points with screening equipment such as x-ray machines, fencing or other barriers to prevent unauthorized vehicle access and unauthorized entry to the rotunda, and the use of private security personnel to staff screening points in coordination with state and county law enforcement.
The bill also directs the State Historic Preservation Division to evaluate whether exemptions from historic preservation designations or related restrictions are needed to carry out the security work, and to help expedite any necessary approvals under state or federal preservation laws. DAGS must provide annual status reports to the Legislature before the 2026 and 2027 regular sessions, and the bill authorizes additional security measures while the required improvements are being developed.
Impact
HB1252 would change state operations at the Capitol by mandating new physical and personnel security measures and by requiring coordination among DAGS, DPS, the Legislature, and historic preservation officials. It also affects Capitol parking policy by removing all parking meters from the state capitol parking facility, reallocating those stalls among specified government users and eligible state employees, and allowing replacement public metered parking at nearby locations. The bill includes unspecified general-fund appropriations for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 for both capital/security infrastructure and screening operations.
Sentiment
The bill appears to be driven by a strong public-safety rationale and a concern that the Capitol’s open design leaves it vulnerable to violence, threats, and unauthorized access. The findings emphasize recent incidents and the need for consistent screening of all entrants, including legislators and staff, suggesting broad support for tighter security among the bill’s sponsors. No committee votes or hearing transcripts are provided, so there is no recorded opposition or support in the available context beyond the bill’s stated justification.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the balance between openness and security at the State Capitol, the use of private security personnel, and the need for barriers and screening that may alter public access. Another likely issue is the interaction with historic preservation requirements, since the bill anticipates possible exemptions from preservation restrictions to install barriers and other security features. The parking-meter removal and reallocation provisions may also draw concern from users of the Capitol parking facility and nearby public parking patrons.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.
Relating to nonsubstantive additions to, revisions of, and corrections in enacted codes, to the nonsubstantive codification or disposition of various laws omitted from enacted codes, and to conforming codifications enacted by the 88th Legislature to other Acts of that legislature.