HB 141 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO THE ELECTIONS COMMISSION.

Summary

Makes the members of the Elections Commission subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Clarifies that a majority of all members to which the Elections Commission is entitled shall constitute a quorum to do business. (HD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Mar 6, 2025

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What changed between versions

HB141 → HB141_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill amends the Elections Commission composition and appointment process in Hawaii. The primary change is clarifying that the Elections Commission chairperson must be selected by a two-thirds vote of the commission members, rather than by the legislature. The bill also adds language specifying that vacancies occurring during legislative recesses must be filled by the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and clarifies that a majority of all entitled members constitutes a quorum.

Scope change

The bill applies to the composition, appointment, and vacancy filling procedures of the Hawaii Elections Commission.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement that the Elections Commission chairperson must be selected by a two-thirds vote of commission members.

Added provision that vacancies occurring during legislative recesses must be filled by the chief justice of the Supreme Court.

Clarified that a majority of all entitled members constitutes a quorum for the Elections Commission.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the House by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 194).

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Hussey voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Kila, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Kapela, Pierick, Ward excused (3). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Jan 28, 2025

Lower · Passed

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.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Prefiled.

lower

5 primary · 0 co-sponsors