SB 1031 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO ADVISORY REFERENDUMS.

Summary

Authorizes the Legislature to adopt any Concurrent Resolution to propose a non-binding advisory referendum question concerning the issuance of general obligation bonds to the people, who may vote on the question during any general election. Imposes notice, certification, and reporting requirements on the Chief Election Officer. Requires a written explanation for any legislative acts that are contrary to the reported majority vote on the advisory referendum question to be reflected in the legislative record. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Feb 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 17, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB1031 → SB1031_SD1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to strictly limit advisory referendums to questions about issuing general obligation bonds, removing the ability to use them for other topics. It also added a requirement for the legislature to provide a written explanation in the legislative record if it ignores the results of such a bond referendum. Additionally, the effective date of the bill was set to January 1, 2491, likely as a placeholder to prevent immediate implementation.

Scope change

The scope of advisory referendums was narrowed from any non-binding question to specifically only those concerning the issuance of general obligation bonds.

SCOPE

The bill now restricts advisory referendum questions exclusively to the issuance of general obligation bonds, removing the previous broad authority to propose questions on any subject.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement mandates that if the legislature acts contrary to the majority vote on a bond advisory referendum, it must include a written explanation of that decision in the legislative record.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the legislation was changed to January 1, 2491, indicating it is currently inactive or intended for future use.

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

Feb 13, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

upper

Feb 13, 2025

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 462) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 11, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 31, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-25 3:05PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 23, 2025

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Jan 17, 2025

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors