HB 412 Hawaii House · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO LOBBYING.

Summary

Establishes certain presumptions regarding lobbying on behalf of private clients. Makes certain contracts voidable when entered into in violation of the state lobbying law under certain conditions. Expands the definition of "lobbying" in the state lobbying law to include certain communications with certain government officials regarding procurement decisions. Effective 1/1/2027. (SD2)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Apr 2025

Signed into Law

May 2025

Introduced Jan 16, 2025 Signed May 16, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB412_SD1 → HB412_SD2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill expands Hawaii's lobbying laws to increase transparency around procurement discussions and clarify when lobbying activities are presumed to be compensated. The changes add specific presumptions about who is lobbying on behalf of organizations, make contracts voidable if lobbying laws are violated, and broaden the definition of lobbying to include communications about procurement decisions with high-level officials.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of what constitutes 'lobbying' under state law to include procurement-related communications with government officials that were previously not covered, and adds new presumptions about compensation for lobbying activities.

DEFINITION

Added a presumption that individuals with ownership interests or employment in an organization are receiving compensation when they lobby on behalf of that organization, except for informational or ceremonial communications.

Expanded the definition of lobbying to include communications about procurement decisions with high-level government officials not covered by existing procurement chapters.

Added specific exclusions from lobbying activities, such as communications initiated by legislators or state employees about RFPs and grant applications.

ADDED

Added a provision making contracts voidable if entered into in violation of lobbying laws, with a 60-day enforcement window and authority for the attorney general to enforce.

Floor votes

How they voted

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

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in SD 2 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran excused (2).

lower

Apr 24, 2025

Introduced

House agrees to Senate amendment(s).

lower

Apr 10, 2025

Amended

House disagrees with Senate amendment (s).

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Introduced

Returned from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 631) in amended form (SD 2).

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 25, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard, Awa.

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-25-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1269) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Mar 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

upper

Mar 14, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 03-18-25 3:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 230).

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Pierick, Ward excused (2). 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: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, referral sheet 1

lower

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

lower

Jan 16, 2025

Introduced

Pending introduction.

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors