SB 1515 Hawaii Senate · 2026 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 Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1515 → SB1515_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill modifies the process for resolving election disputes in Hawaii by shifting authority from full Boards of Registration to on-call circuit judges when the Board lacks full membership. It requires the judiciary to formally designate these judges and updates numerous statutes to reflect this new contingency plan, ensuring disputes can still be heard quickly even if the Board is not fully staffed.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of judicial intervention in election disputes by creating a mandatory backup system where circuit judges assume the Board's duties specifically when the Board cannot function due to lack of full membership.

REQUIREMENT

Requires the judiciary to designate one or more on-call circuit judges in each circuit to perform Board of Registration duties.

Removed the requirement that disputes must be heard exclusively by the Board of Registration, allowing for judicial substitution.

ENFORCEMENT

Replaces the sole authority of the Board of Registration with a dual system where on-call circuit judges can hear disputes if the Board lacks full membership.

DEFINITION

Updates statutory language throughout Chapter 11 to reference 'relevant circuit court' alongside the Board of Registration for appeals and hearings.

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 18, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).

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