The Hawaii State Senate has announced plans to advance legislation that would address fraud, white collar crime, political corruption and sex and human trafficking, according to a news release Friday afternoon.

SB 2930 SD1 would establish two new divisions within the Department of the Attorney General to address those crimes. The measure would appropriate $834,000 for the operations of the Special Investigation and Prosecution unit and $754,000 to operate the Sex and Human Trafficking unit.

“In working closely with the Attorney General and Senate Ways and Means committee chair Donovan Dela Cruz, we believe that the establishment of these two divisions within the Department of the Attorney General will provide the state with the ability and jurisdiction to investigate wrongdoings by individuals who commit fraudulent crimes and exploit women and children,” said Senator Sharon Moriwaki, chair of the Senate Committee on Government Operations. “This measure also reinforces our commitment to ensure that the public’s trust in government is not undermined by those who abuse their positions of power.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for first reading and will be referred to committee.

The announcements come as on Tuesday, former Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English of Maui and former House Rep. Ty Cullen of Oahu, were each charged with one count of honest services wire fraud in connection to allegedly taking thousands of dollars in bribes to influence legislation.

Also due to declining counts of COVID-19 cases across the state, the Senate is reevaluating the opening of the State Capitol. 

“With COVID-19 cases on a rampant rise in early January, state and legislative leaders made the decision to keep the Capitol building close to minimize the spread of COVID-19 among members, staff and other building occupants,” noted Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi. “Earlier this week, I announced to the caucus that with COVID-19 cases on the decline, Senate leadership will be working with the House, the Governor and the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS) to formulate a reopening plan for the Capitol.”

The House this week also announced a push to allow the public to return to the State Capitol.