HB610 would create a Cold Case Investigation Unit within the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General and appropriate state funds for its operation in fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027. The bill states that Hawaii has hundreds of unsolved homicides, including cases decades old, and that a centralized state-level unit could help supplement existing county cold case units and improve coordination across agencies.
The new unit would be staffed by attorneys, investigators, and other personnel as needed, with non-attorney staff subject to the state civil service law in chapter 76. Its mission would be to assist federal, state, county, and tribal law enforcement agencies, as well as prosecutor-based cold case units in Hawaii and other states, on unsolved cases with a Hawaii nexus. The bill specifically identifies unsolved homicides, sexual offenses, sexually motivated offenses, missing persons, and unidentified remains cases as eligible matters, and allows the unit to accept requests or proactively offer assistance.
Impact
HB610 would add a new part to chapter 28 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes establishing a permanent cold case investigation unit in the Department of the Attorney General. It would also authorize an unspecified general fund appropriation for startup and ongoing operations over two fiscal years. The bill would expand the Attorney General’s role in criminal investigations by creating a statewide resource to support local, tribal, and out-of-state agencies on Hawaii-connected cold cases.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill’s history appears supportive. The measure passed second reading as amended in HD 1 and moved forward to the House Finance Committee with no recorded votes in opposition, though one representative voted aye with reservations. The bill’s findings and purpose language frame the proposal as a public-safety and victim-services measure aimed at addressing long-unsolved violent crimes and missing-person cases.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely fiscal and operational rather than philosophical. The bill requires an appropriation but leaves the dollar amount blank in the text, which suggests funding level and staffing capacity may be unresolved. Another possible issue is overlap with existing county cold case units and interagency coordination, since the bill creates a state-level unit that would work alongside local and tribal law enforcement rather than replacing current efforts. The recorded vote of one aye with reservations indicates some caution, likely tied to implementation details, cost, or scope.
Urging The House Of Representatives To Establish An Investigative Committee Pursuant To Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, To Investigate Allegations Of A January 20, 2022 Payment From An Unknown Individual To An influential State Legislator For The Purported Use In An Existing Campaign At The Time, And To Examine Possible Violations Of State Law, The State Ethics Code, And Campaign Finance Provisions.
Urging The Department Of The Attorney General To Prioritize And Expedite The State Investigation Into The Alleged Acceptance Of Approximately $35,000 By A State Legislator In January 2022.