Hawaii House of Representatives

Hawaii House of Representatives
General Information
Party control:	Democrat
Session start:	January 15, 2025
Session end:	May 1, 2025
Term length:	2 years
Term limits:	None
Redistricting:	Commission
Salary:	$60,180/year + per diem
Members
Total:	51
Democrats:	42
Republicans:	9
Other:	0
Vacancies:	0
Leadership
Speaker:	Nadine Nakamura (D)
Maj. Leader:	Sean Quinlan (D)
Min. Leader:	Lauren Cheape Matsumoto (R)
Elections
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Next election:	November 3, 2026

The Hawaii House of Representatives is the lower chamber of the Hawaii State Legislature. Alongside the Hawaii State Senate, it forms the legislative branch of the Hawaii state government and works alongside the governor of Hawaii to create laws and establish a state budget. Legislative authority and responsibilities of the Hawaii House of Representatives include passing bills on public policy matters, setting levels for state spending, raising and lowering taxes, and voting to uphold or override gubernatorial vetoes.

The Hawaii House of Representatives meets in the state capitol building in Honolulu, Hawaii.

All 51 Hawaii House seats were up for election in 2024. The chamber's Democratic majority decreased from 45-6 to 41-9 (with one vacancy).

All 51 Hawaii House seats were up for election in 2022. The chamber's Democratic majority decreased from 47-4 to 45-6.

Hawaii has a Democratic trifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and both chambers of the state legislature.

This page contains the following information on the Hawaii House of Representatives.

• Which party controls the chamber
• The chamber's current membership
• Partisan control of the chamber over time
• Elections in the chamber and how vacancies are filled
• A district map
• How redistricting works in the state
• Legislation currently under consideration
• Legislative session dates
• Legislative procedures, such as veto overrides and the state budget process
• A list of committees

Party control

Current partisan control

The table below shows the partisan breakdown of the Hawaii House of Representatives as of February 2025:

Party	As of February 2025
	Democratic Party	42
	Republican Party	9
	Other	0
	Vacancies	0
Total	51

Members

Leadership

The speaker of the House is the presiding officer of the body. Duties of the speaker include preserving order and decorum and appointing all committee and subcommittee members.^[1]

Leadership and members

• Speaker of the House: Nadine Nakamura (D)
• Majority leader: Sean Quinlan (D)
• Minority leader: Lauren Cheape Matsumoto (R)

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries

State legislative salaries, 2024[2]
Salary	Per diem
$74,160/year	$225/day; only for legislators who do not reside on Oahu.

Swearing in dates

See also: When state legislators assume office after a general election

Hawaii legislators assume office on the day they are elected in the general election.^[3]

Membership qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

From Article III, Section 6 of the Hawaii Constitution: "No person shall be eligible to serve as a member of the house of representatives unless the person has been a resident of the State for not less than three years, has attained the age of majority and is, prior to filing nomination papers and thereafter continues to be, a qualified voter of the representative district from which the person seeks to be elected; except that in the year of the first general election following reapportionment, but prior to the primary election, an incumbent representative may move to a new district without being disqualified from completing the remainder of the incumbent representative’s term."^[4]

Historical party control

Democrats have controlled the Hawaii House of Representatives since 1959, the year it achieved statehood. In 2024, they won a 42-9 majority.

The table below shows the partisan history of the Hawaii House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin's Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.

Hawaii House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024

Year	'92	'94	'96	'98	'00	'02	'04	'06	'08	'10	'12	'14	'16	'18	'20	'22	'24
Democrats	47	44	39	39	32	36	41	43	45	43	44	43	45	46	47	45	42
Republicans	4	7	12	12	19	15	10	8	6	8	7	8	6	5	4	6	9

Trifecta history

A state government trifecta is a term that describes single party government, when one political party holds the governor's office and has majorities in both chambers of the legislature in a state government. Between 1992 and 2023, Hawaii was under the following types of trifecta control:

• Democratic trifecta: 1992-2002, 2011-2023
• Republican trifecta: None
• Divided government: 2003-2010

Hawaii Party Control: 1992-2025
Twenty-six years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Elections

Elections by year

Hawaii state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Hawaii holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was August 10, 2024. The filing deadline was June 4, 2024.

In the 2024 elections, the Democratic majority in the Hawaii House of Representatives decreased from 45-6 to 41-9, with one vacant seat.

Hawaii House of Representatives
Party	As of November 5, 2024	After November 6, 2024
	Democratic Party	45	41
	Republican Party	6	9
	Vacancy	0	1
Total	51	51

2022

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for August 13, 2022. The filing deadline was June 7, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, the Democratic majority in the state House was reduced from 47-4 to 45-6.

Hawaii House of Representatives
Party	As of November 8, 2022	After November 9, 2022
	Democratic Party	47	45
	Republican Party	4	6
Total	51	51

2020

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for August 8, 2020. The filing deadline was June 2, 2020.

In the 2020 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Hawaii House of Representatives from 46-5 to 47-4.

Hawaii House of Representatives
Party	As of November 3, 2020	After November 4, 2020
	Democratic Party	46	47
	Republican Party	5	4
Total	51	51

2018

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on August 11, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was June 5, 2018.^[5]

In the 2018 elections, there was no change in the partisan balance of the Hawaii House of Representatives.

Hawaii House of Representatives
Party	As of November 6, 2018	After November 7, 2018
	Democratic Party	46	46
	Republican Party	5	5
Total	51	51

2016

See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was June 7, 2016. All 51 seats in the Hawaii House of Representatives were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Democrats held a 44-7 majority. Democrats gained one seat in the election, giving them a 45-6 majority.

Hawaii House of Representatives
Party	As of November 7, 2016	After November 8, 2016
	Democratic Party	44	45
	Republican Party	7	6
Total	51	51

Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2000

2014 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2014 Elections for the Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 3, 2014. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 44-7 majority. Democrats lost one seat in the election, giving them a 43-8 majority. Hawaii House of Representatives Party As of November 3, 2014 After November 4, 2014      Democratic Party 44 43      Republican Party 7 8 Total 51 51 2012 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2012 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on August 11, 2012, and the general election was held on November 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2012. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2012. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 42-8 majority with one vacancy. Democrats gained two seats in the election, giving them a 44-7 majority. Hawaii House of Representatives Party As of November 5, 2012 After the 2012 Election      Democratic Party 42 44      Republican Party 8 7      Vacancy 1 0 Total 51 51 The table below details the 10 districts with the smallest margin of victory in the November 6 general election in 2012. 2012 Margin of Victory, Hawaii House of Representatives District Winner Margin of Victory Total Votes Top Opponent District 45 Lauren Kealohilani Matsumoto 1.7% 5,166 Jake Bradshaw District 46 Marcus Oshiro 1.7% 5,166 Christopher Murphy District 40 Bob McDermott 2.2% 6,356 Chris Kalani Manabat District 36 Beth Fukumoto 4.9% 10,172 Marilyn Lee District 27 Takashi Ohno 15.1% 8,416 Corinne Ching District 47 Richard Fale 16.1% 7,544 D. Ululani Beirne District 18 Mark Hashem 21.7% 12,016 Jeremy Low District 26 Scott Saiki 21.7% 6,841 Tiffany Au District 41 Rida Cabanilla Arakawa 22.7% 7,060 Adam Reeder District 3 Richard Onishi 24.4% 8,629 Marlene Nachbar Hapai 2010 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2010 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 18, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 20, 2010. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 45-6 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, giving them a 43-8 majority. Hawaii House of Representatives Party As of November 1, 2010 After the 2010 Election      Democratic Party 45 43      Republican Party 6 8 Total 51 51 In 2010, the total amount of contributions raised in House campaigns was $3,066,163. The top donors were:[6] 2010 Donors, Hawaii House of Representatives Donor Amount Hawaii Association of Realtors $81,950 Hapai, Marlene $30,613 Hawaii State Teachers Association $27,600 Hawaii Carpenters and Joiners $25,500 Hawaii Republican Party $24,525 Electrical Workers Local 1186 $24,500 Hawaii Medical Service Association $24,300 Radcliffe, John H $22,350 Operating Engineers Local 3 $22,250 Linda Lingle Campaign Cmte $22,000 2008 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2008 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 20, 2008, and a general election on November 4, 2008. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2008. During the 2008 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,138,933. The top 10 contributors were:[7] 2008 Donors, Hawaii House of Representatives Donor Amount Hawaii Association of Realtors $86,300 University of Hawaii Professional Assembly $52,000 Choy, Isaac W $50,000 Hawaii State Teachers Association $45,400 Kawananakoa, Quentin Kuhio $45,000 Hawaii Carpenters Local 745 $35,300 Hawaii Operating Engineers $34,734 Kawananakoa, Quentin $33,242 Neil Abercrombie for Congress $33,000 Parayno, Ilalo B $32,157 2006 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2006 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 23, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,307,255. The top 10 contributors were:[8] 2006 Donors, Hawaii House of Representatives Donor Amount University of Hawaii Professional Assembly $93,250 Hawaii Association of Realtors $54,900 Hawaii State Teachers Association $37,025 Cassiday Jr, Paul $34,000 Hawaii Republican Party $33,359 Steelquist, John A $33,107 Longshore & Warehouse Local 142 $30,517 Alameida, Jeffrey K & Debbie $29,807 Hawaii Carpenters Local 745 $29,400 Ironworkers Local 625 $27,700 2004 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2004 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 18, 2004, and a general election on November 2, 2004. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2004. During the 2004 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $3,772,936. The top 10 contributors were:[9] 2004 Donors, Hawaii House of Representatives Donor Amount University of Hawaii Professional Assembly $65,250 Hawaii Association of Realtors $59,500 Castle & Cooke $42,550 Outrigger Enterprises $38,319 Chevrontexaco $38,250 Longshore & Warehouse Local 142 $38,116 Wong, Susan $31,703 Altria $29,000 Hawaii Optometric Association $27,250 GOP House PAC of Hawaii $25,700 2002 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2002 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 21, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,361,287. The top 10 contributors were:[10] 2002 Donors, Hawaii House of Representatives Donor Amount University of Hawaii Professional Assembly $32,853 Hawaii Association of Realtors $25,790 Outrigger Enterprises $25,400 Tesoro Corp $21,250 Ching, Corinne Wei Lan $18,000 Longshore & Warehouse Local 142 $16,800 Hawaii Insurers Council $13,000 Hawaii State Teachers Association $10,700 Philip Morris $10,500 Hawaii Laborers $10,500 2000 See also: Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2000 Elections for the office of Hawaii House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on September 23, 2000, and a general election on November 7, 2000. All 51 House seats were up for election in 2000. During the 2000 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $1,960,173. The top 10 contributors were:[11] 2000 Donors, Hawaii House of Representatives Donor Amount Case, Audrey $25,00 Hawaii Association of Realtors $23,100 Case, Ed $20,000 Republican National State Elections Cmte $18,000 Philip Morris $17,885 Hawaii State Teachers Association $16,820 Alexander & Baldwin $16,550 Jaffe, Melinda S $13,609 AT&T $13,100 Hawaii Insurers Council $13,000

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Hawaii State Legislature for a term that ends at the next general election, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement. The governor must appoint a replacement within 60 days after the vacancy happens. The candidate is selected from a list of three prospective candidates submitted by the political party that last held the vacant seat. The party has thirty days after the vacancy to submit a list of prospective candidates. If the person leaving the seat is an independent (no party affiliation), the governor must select a resident from the vacant district that is not a member of any political party.^[12][13]

In the event of a vacancy for a term that does not end at the next general election, the vacancy shall be filled by a special election at the next general election or by appointment. If the vacancy occurs no later than the 10th day before the close of filing for the next succeeding primary election, the unexpired term will be filled during the subsequent general election. If the vacancy occurs after the 60th day before the next succeeding primary but no later than the 50th day before the next succeeding general election, the unexpired term will be filled during the subsequent general election. The chief election officer shall issue a proclamation of the special election. If the vacancy occurs after the fiftieth day before the next succeeding general election, the governor is required to make an appointment to fill the unexpired term. The appointee will be selected from a list of three prospective candidates submitted by the political party that last held the vacant seat.^[12]

See sources: Hawaii Const. Art. 3, Sec. 5, Hawaii Rev. Stat., §17-3, and Hawaii Rev. Stat. § 17-4

District map

See also: Hawaii state legislative districts

The state of Hawaii has 51 state House districts. Each district elects one representative.

Use the interactive map below to find your district.

Redistricting

See also: Redistricting in Hawaii

In Hawaii, a nine-member commission draws both congressional and state legislative district lines. The majority and minority leaders of the Hawaii State Senate and Hawaii House of Representatives each select two members. These eight members then select a ninth tie-breaking commissioner. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement on a ninth member, the Hawaii Supreme Court must make the appointment.^[14]

Both congressional and state legislative district boundaries must be contiguous and compact. In addition, where possible, district lines "must follow permanent and easily recognized features ... and coincide with census tracts." In addition, "districts must also avoid submerging one area in another with substantially different predominant socioeconomic interests." No district can be drawn "to unduly favor a person or political faction."^[14]

State law permits state legislative districts to be multimember, but a maximum of four representatives can be elected from a single district.^[14]

2020

See also: Redistricting in Hawaii after the 2020 census

The Hawaii Reapportionment Commission approved new legislative district maps on January 28, 2022.^[15] The commission's Technical Committee Permitted Interaction Group initially presented the state legislative map plans to the commission for consideration on October 14, 2021. The map plans were approved for public comment on October 28.^[16] On January 6, the commission approved a motion to modify the legislative map plans after learning the initial plans had not properly accounted for the number of nonpermanent resident personnel on military installations in the state, who are not included in legislative redistricting. Under the modified proposal, one legislative district would be moved from Oahu to Hawaii.^[17][18] This map took effect for Hawaii's 2022 state legislative elections.

District map after 2020 redistricting

Below is the state House map in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle.

2010

See also: Redistricting in Hawaii after the 2010 census

Hawaii received its local census data on February 22, 2011, and on June 28, 2011, the Hawaii Reapportionment Commission voted 8-1 to include non-resident students and military personnel in redistricting calculations. The Commission released its redistricting plans on August 3, 2011. On September 19, 2011, the Commission voted to exclude about 16,000 military and non-residents in the state from reapportionment calculations, partially reversing their earlier decision. On September 26, 2011, the Commission gave final approval to the state's redistricting plan. The Hawaii Supreme Court, however, ruled on January 4, 2012, that non-residents could not be considered in reapportionment and ordered the Reapportionment Commission to redraw the maps. On March 8, 2012, the Commission approved new legislative districts for the state.^[19][20]

Sessions

Legislation

The legislation tracker below displays all legislation that the Hawaii House of Representatives has approved in its most recent legislative session—this includes legislation that has been sent from the House to the Senate and legislation that has already been approved by both chambers and signed by the governor. The table below includes the bill number, its name, progress, most recent action date, and sponsor. Scroll up and down and side to side to see more. Click the bill number to read the bill text and see its voting history. Click the headings to sort the content. Rearrange the order of the headings by clicking and dragging them. Click the magnifying glass in the bottom left corner to search for specific terms. The legislation tracker is maintained and updated by BillTrack50.

Dates of legislative sessions in Hawaii by year

2025

See also: 2025 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2025 state legislative sessions

In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 15, 2025, and adjourn on May 1, 2025.

Click [show] for past years' session dates.

2024 See also: 2024 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2024 state legislative sessions In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 17, 2024, and adjourn on May 3, 2024. 2023 See also: 2023 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2023 state legislative sessions In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 18, 2023, and adjourn on May 4, 2023. 2022 See also: 2022 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2022 state legislative sessions In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 19, 2022, and adjourn on May 5, 2022. 2021 See also: 2021 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2021 state legislative sessions In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 20, 2021, and adjourn on April 29, 2021. 2020 See also: 2020 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2020 state legislative sessions In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 15, 2020, and adjourn on July 10, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic See also: Changes to state legislative session dates in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020 Coronavirus pandemic Select a topic from the dropdown below to learn more. Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. The Hawaii State Legislature suspended its session, effective March 17, 2020, through May 11, 2020. The legislature adjourned on July 10, 2020.[21][22] 2019 See also: 2019 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2019 state legislative sessions In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 16, 2019, through May 2, 2019. 2018 See also: 2018 Hawaii legislative session and Dates of 2018 state legislative sessions In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 17, 2018, through May 3, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, click here. 2017 See also: Dates of 2017 state legislative sessions In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 18, 2017, through May 4, 2017. The legislature held its first special session from August 28, 2017, to September 1, 2017. The legislature held its second special session from September 25 to September 26. The legislature held its third special session on November 14. Special session over rail project funding On September 1, 2017, members of the Hawaii House of Representatives voted in favor of SB4, which aimed to fill a funding shortfall for Honolulu’s rail project. The bill made it through the state Senate on a 16-9 vote on August 30, 2017. Governor David Ige (D) signed SB4 on September 5, 2017. In early May, Hawaii lawmakers ended their regularly-scheduled session without reaching a deal on how to fund the rest of the project. The project was budgeted for $6.8 billion but later estimates put the cost at around $10 billion. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) was set to provide $1.55 billion for the project. Lawmakers had a September 15 deadline to submit a financial plan to finish the rail project. Senate and House leaders outlined their plan for the $2.378 billion funding shortfall package on August 24. During the special session, lawmakers considered a bill that will extend a 0.5 percent general excise tax surcharge on Oahu for three additional years from 2027 to 2030. The bill would also increase Hawaii’s hotel room tax from 9.25 percent to 10.25 percent through 2030. The five-day special session was expected to cost about $27,000. 2016 See also: Dates of 2016 state legislative sessions In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 20 through May 5. The legislature held a special session from July 12 to July 20. 2015 See also: Dates of 2015 state legislative sessions In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 21 through May 7. The legislature convened a two-day special session on November 5 over judicial nominees. Major issues in 2015 Major issues in the 2015 legislative session included the general excise tax, medical marijuana, and homelessness.[23] 2014 See also: Dates of 2014 state legislative sessions In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 15 through May 2. Major issues in 2014 Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included GMO labeling, raising the minimum wage, clean energy, and climate change.[24] A budget for the 2014-2015 fiscal year was passed through HB1700. The budget provided $6.189 billion in general funds and $12.147 billion in all means of financing. Sylvia Luke (D), Chairman of the House Finance Committee described the budget as measured and prudent.[25] 2013 See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 16 to May 3. Major issues in 2013 Major issues during the 2013 legislative session included revenue, hotel room tax, GET increase, education funding, and renewable energy tax credits.[26] 2012 See also: Dates of 2012 state legislative sessions In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 18 to May 3. Major issues in 2012 The legislature focused on job creation, creating a sustainable economy, sustainable and renewable energy, improving the state's information technology infrastructure, and education funding.[27] 2011 See also: Dates of 2011 state legislative sessions In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 19 through May 5. 2010 See also: Dates of 2010 state legislative sessions In 2010, the legislature was in session from January 20th to April 29th.

About legislative sessions in Hawaii

The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution declares that any power not already given to the federal government is reserved to the states and the people.^[28] State governments across the country use this authority to hold legislative sessions where a state's elected representatives meet for a period of time to draft and vote on legislation and set state policies on issues such as taxation, education, and government spending. The different types of legislation passed by a legislature may include resolutions, legislatively referred constitutional amendments, and bills that become law.

Article III of the Hawaii Constitution establishes when the Hawaii State Legislature, which the House of Representatives is a part of, is to be in session. Section 10 of Article III states that the Legislature shall convene in regular session on the third Wednesday in January of every year. Regular sessions are limited to sixty legislative days, but they can be extended by fifteen days by the Governor of Hawaii or by the request of two-thirds of each legislative house. Section 10 mandates that the Legislature take a mandatory recess of at least five days during each regular session.

Section 10 also contains provisions regarding special sessions of the Legislature. Special sessions can involve both houses of the Legislature or the Senate alone. Special sessions can be convened by the Governor of Hawaii or by two-thirds of the house or houses seeking to convene. Special sessions are limited in length. They are not to last more than thirty legislative days, but they, like regular sessions, can be extended for fifteen days.

Legislative roles and procedures

Every state legislature throughout the country features its own internal procedures that it uses to govern itself and how it interacts with other parts of state government. Ballotpedia's coverage of internal state legislative procedures includes veto overrides, the role of the legislature in the state budget, and procedures for filling membership vacancies.

Veto overrides

See also: Veto overrides in state legislatures

State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Hawaii are listed below.

How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.

Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 34 of the 51 members in the Hawaii House of Representatives and 17 of the 25 members in the Hawaii State Senate. Hawaii is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto.

How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?

According to Article III, Section 16 of the Hawaii Constitution, the legislature may convene itself in special session at the end of the governor's bill signing period to consider veto overrides. Two-thirds of members in both chambers must agree to call for a special session.^[29]

Authority: Article III, Section 17 of the Hawaii Constitution.

"Upon the receipt of a veto message from the governor, each house shall enter the same at large upon its journal and proceed to reconsider the vetoed bill, or the item or items vetoed, and again vote upon such bill, or such item or items, by ayes and noes, which shall be entered upon its journal. If after such reconsideration such bill, or such item or items, shall be approved by a two-thirds vote of all members to which each house is entitled, the same shall become law."

Role in state budget

See also: Hawaii state budget and finances

Hawaii operates on a biennial budget cycle, with each biennium beginning on July 1. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:^[30]

1. Budget instructions are sent to state agencies between July and August of the year preceding the start of the new biennium.
2. State agencies submit their budget requests to the governor by September.
3. The governor submits his or her proposed budget to the state legislature in December.
4. In April or May, the legislature adopts the budget. A simple majority is required to pass a budget.

Hawaii is one of 44 states in which the governor has line item veto authority.^[30][31]

The governor is statutorily and constitutionally required to submit a balanced budget to the legislature. Though the legislature is not required to pass a balanced budget, the budget must be balanced for the governor to sign it into law.^[30]

Committees

See also: List of committees in Hawaii state government

Every state legislature and state legislative chamber in the country contains several legislative committees. These committees are responsible for studying, amending, and voting on legislation before it reaches the floor of a chamber for a full vote. The different types of committees include standing committees, select or special, and joint.

• Standing committees are generally permanent committees, the names of which sometimes change from session to session.
• Select or special committees are temporary committees formed to deal with specific issues such as recent legislation, major public policy or proposals, or investigations.
• Joint committees are committees that feature members of both chambers of a legislature.

Ballotpedia covers standing and joint committees. The Hawaii House of Representatives has 19 standing committees:

Constitutional amendments

In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process for referring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states, initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are also many other types of statewide measures.

The methods in which the Hawaii Constitution can be amended:

See also: Article XVII of the Hawaii Constitution and Laws governing ballot measures in Hawaii

The Hawaii Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution— a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Hawaii requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.

Legislature

See also: Legislatively referred constitutional amendment

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote vote is required during one legislative session or a simple majority vote in two successive legislative sessions for the Hawaii State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 35 votes in the Hawaii House of Representatives and 17 votes in the Hawaii State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

Convention

See also: Convention-referred constitutional amendment

According to Section 2 of Article XVII of the Hawaii Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot after a period of nine years. Hawaii is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question.

The table below shows the last and next constitutional convention question election years:

State	Interval	Last question on the ballot	Next question on the ballot
Hawaii	10 years	2018	2028

2026 measures:

See also: 2026 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2026.

No measures to list

2025 measures:

Below is a list of measures that were referred to the 2025 ballot by the legislature or that have made it approximately halfway through the process in the legislature for referral to the ballot in 2025.

See also: 2025 ballot measures

Certified:

The following measures have been certified for the ballot.

No measures to list

Potential:

The following measures have made it through one chamber—or one session for two session states—and may appear on the ballot in 2025.

No measures to list

See also

Elections	Hawaii State Government	State Legislatures	State Politics
Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2024 Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2022 Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2020 Hawaii House of Representatives elections, 2018	Hawaii State Legislature Hawaii State Senate Governor of Hawaii Hawaii Supreme Court	State legislative elections: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018	State government trifectas State government triplexes State executives State courts Ballot measures The State Legislative Decade

External links

• Hawaii State Legislature

Footnotes

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