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HB 1798

RELATING TO PROPERTY DAMAGE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE FACILITIES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Gedeon and 13 co-sponsors

Hawaii bill increases criminal penalties for intentional or reckless damage to critical infrastructure like power plants, water systems, and telecommunications networks.

The committee on ECD recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Ilagan, Hussey, Tam, Templo, Yamashita, Gedeon; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Holt.
#criminalpropertydamageofcriticalinfrastructurefacilities #felony #offensesagainstpropertyrights
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Bill Summary · HB 1798

Legislative bill overview

HB 1798 establishes enhanced criminal penalties and liability protections for damages to critical infrastructure facilities in Hawaii. The bill specifically targets intentional or reckless damage to designated infrastructure such as power generation, water systems, telecommunications, and transportation networks. It was recently recommended for passage with amendments by the Economic and Community Development Committee.

Why is this important

Critical infrastructure damage can have cascading effects on public safety, emergency services, and economic activity across entire regions. Hawaii's island geography makes such infrastructure particularly vulnerable and essential—disruptions to power or water systems could impact thousands of residents with limited alternative resources. Strengthening penalties aims to deter sabotage and vandalism while clarifying legal protections for infrastructure operators.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition scope: The bill's specific definition of "critical infrastructure facilities" may be overly broad (potentially capturing private utilities) or overly narrow (potentially missing vulnerabilities), creating either chilling effects on legitimate protest or enforcement gaps
  • Protest vs. criminalization: Environmental and social justice advocates may argue that aggressive penalties could criminalize civil disobedience targeting infrastructure tied to controversial projects (energy facilities, development)
  • Liability and due process: Enhanced criminal liability and potential civil immunity for infrastructure operators requires careful balance to prevent abuse while protecting legitimate operators from frivolous claims

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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