SB 1225 Hawaii Senate · 2025 Regular Session

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO SPECIFY THAT THE STANDARD FOR VOTER APPROVAL OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IS A MAJORITY OF ALL THE VOTES TALLIED UPON THE QUESTION.

Summary

Proposes to amend article XVII, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the standard for ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, to require that a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question be a "yes" vote, and not include blank, spoiled, and over votes in determining whether a majority was reached. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action Mar 21, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1225 → SB1225_HD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

This bill changes how Hawaii counts votes when voters approve constitutional amendments proposed by the legislature. Currently, blank, spoiled, or over-voted ballots are counted as 'no' votes, which makes it harder for amendments to pass. The bill would remove this requirement so only actual 'no' votes would count against approval.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the voting threshold for legislative constitutional amendments from requiring approval by a majority of all votes cast (including blank/spoiled ballots) to requiring approval by a majority of only votes actually tallied on the question.

TECHNICAL

Added new sections clarifying that the amendment does not affect constitutional convention-generated amendments and specifying that repealed constitutional material will be bracketed and stricken in official documents.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from immediate compliance with the constitution to a fixed date of July 1, 3000, with the amendment taking effect upon constitutional compliance.

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

Mar 21, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1463) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 12, 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

Mar 10, 2025

Introduced

Notice of bill proposing constitutional amendment transmitted to Governor pursuant to Article XVII, Section 3 (Sen. Com. No. 1).

upper

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 278).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 19; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards. Noes, 6 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Kim, McKelvey, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Kim ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 27) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard, San Buenaventura ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 1 co-sponsor