SB 1515 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

RELATING TO ELECTIONS.

Summary

Allows an on-call circuit judge in the relevant circuit to perform the duties of the Board of Registration for purposes of hearing elections disputes if the Board of Registration lacks full membership. Requires the Judiciary to designate one or more on-call circuit court judges in each circuit to perform the duties of the Board of Registration for purposes of hearing elections disputes. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 22, 2025 Last action Mar 12, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1515 → SB1515_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill replaces the existing 'boards of registration' with 'on-call circuit judges' to handle election disputes. The change is intended to streamline the appeals process and ensure faster resolution of voter challenges, as appellate courts may not act quickly enough. The judiciary will now designate specific judges in each circuit to perform these duties when the board of registration lacks full membership.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of judicial involvement in election disputes by formally designating circuit judges to act as the primary decision-makers for voter challenges, replacing the previous board-based system.

DEFINITION

Added a new definition for 'on-call circuit judge' to specify a circuit court judge available in each judicial circuit.

REQUIREMENT

Replaced the board of registration with an on-call circuit judge for hearing elections disputes, particularly when the board lacks full membership.

ENFORCEMENT

Updated appeal procedures in multiple sections to allow appeals to either the board of registration or the relevant circuit court if the board lacks full membership.

TIMELINE

Established a new effective date of July 1, 2025, for the transition to the on-call circuit judge system.

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

Mar 4, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 18

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 35) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Feb 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 22, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors