HawaiiSB 12252025–2026 Regular Session (Year 1)Senate

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO SPECIFY THAT THE STANDARD FOR VOTER APPROVAL OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IS A MAJORITY OF ALL THE VOTES TALLIED UPON THE QUESTION.

Sponsored By: Karl Rhoads (Democratic)

Passed Senate

Summary

Proposes to amend article XVII, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the standard for ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, to require that a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question be a "yes" vote, and not include blank, spoiled, and over votes in determining whether a majority was reached. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Constitutional AmendmentGeneral ElectionsAmendment ProcessTallyingVotesJHA, FIN

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Karl Rhoads

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Stanley Chang

    Democratic • Senate

  • Carol Fukunaga

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Gabbard

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joy A. San Buenaventura

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1463) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

    3/21/2025House
  2. Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Kong, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5).

    3/21/2025House
  3. The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

    3/12/2025House
  4. Notice of bill proposing constitutional amendment transmitted to Governor pursuant to Article XVII, Section 3 (Sen. Com. No. 1).

    3/10/2025Senate
  5. Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-12-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

    3/10/2025House
  6. Pass First Reading

    3/6/2025House
  7. Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

    3/6/2025House
  8. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 19; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards. Noes, 6 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Kim, McKelvey, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

    3/4/2025Senate
  9. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 278).

    3/4/2025House
  10. Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 946) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

    2/28/2025Senate
  11. One Day Notice 03-04-25.

    2/28/2025Senate
  12. The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Kim ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.

    2/26/2025Senate
  13. The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

    2/20/2025Senate
  14. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 27) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.

    2/4/2025Senate
  15. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM.

    2/4/2025Senate
  16. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard, San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

    1/31/2025Senate
  17. Referred to JDC, WAM.

    1/27/2025Senate
  18. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

    1/27/2025Senate
  19. Introduced and passed First Reading.

    1/23/2025Senate
  20. Pending Introduction.

    1/21/2025Senate

Bill Text

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