HB 141 Hawaii House · 2026 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 Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

HB141 → HB141_HD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill revision clarifies the appointment process for the Elections Commission by requiring Senate advice and consent for all members, rather than just some. It also adds a specific rule that vacancies occurring when the Senate is not in session must be filled by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, ensuring the commission can function without delay. Finally, it explicitly defines the quorum requirement as a majority of the total membership.

Scope change

The bill's scope regarding member appointments expanded to include all nine members under Senate confirmation, whereas the previous version exempted some members from this requirement.

ELIGIBILITY

Changed the appointment process so that all Elections Commission members now require Senate advice and consent, removing a previous exemption for certain members.

REQUIREMENT

Added a specific provision requiring the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to fill vacancies that occur when the Senate is not in session.

Explicitly stated that a majority of all members to which the commission is entitled constitutes a quorum to do business.

TECHNICAL

Corrected grammatical phrasing regarding the establishment of the commission and clarified the list of appointment sources.

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