HawaiiSB 16182025–2026 Regular Session (Year 2)Senate

RELATING TO JOURNALISM.

Sponsored By: Donna Mercado Kim (Democratic)

In Committee

Summary

Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Commission within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Establishes a Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires news media outlets to provide training in the ethics of journalism to journalists and editors in their employ. Establishes a Journalistic Ethics Review Board to be administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Review Board to handle complaints and appeals regarding violations of the Journalistic Code of Ethics. Requires the Journalistic Ethics Commission to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes penalties for violations. Requires the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii to conduct an analysis of the journalism program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa College of Social Sciences. Requires the Board of Regents to report to the Legislature.

DCCABORJournalistic Ethics CommissionJournalistic Ethics Review BoardCollege of Social SciencesJournalismPublic ReportingDispute ResolutionComplaintEthicsReportsPenaltiesCPN/EDU, JDC/WAM

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Bill Overview

No Economic Impacts Identified for this Bill

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Donna Mercado Kim

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Lynn DeCoite

    Democratic • Senate

  • Donovan M. Dela Cruz

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kurt Fevella

    Republican • Senate

  • Troy N. Hashimoto

    Democratic • Senate

  • III Richards

    Democratic • Senate

  • Joy A. San Buenaventura

    Democratic • Senate

  • Glenn Wakai

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. Re-Referred to CPN/EDU, JDC/WAM.

    1/21/2026Senate
  2. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

    12/8/2025
  3. Passed First Reading.

    1/27/2025Senate
  4. Referred to CPN/HRE, JDC/WAM.

    1/27/2025Senate
  5. Introduced.

    1/23/2025Senate

Bill Text

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