SB 2239 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO VOTER REGISTRATION.

Summary

Requires a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license to be automatically registered to vote unless the person affirmatively declines, subject to certain conditions. Requires the name and address of a person who applies for an identification card or driver's license and is registered to vote to be automatically updated on the person's voter registration record unless the person affirmatively declines. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

May 2026

Senate Passage

May 2026

House Passage

May 2026

Signed into Law

May 2026

Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Signed May 29, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB2239_HD1 → SB2239_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised from a House version (HD1) to a Senate version (SD1), primarily updating administrative metadata such as author names, bill numbers, and revision dates. The core policy regarding automatic voter registration for ID and driver's license applicants remains substantively unchanged, though minor text edits were made to clarify phrasing regarding name updates and voter registration choices.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill metadata including the author's name (from Aaron Supple to Noah Holck), bill identifier (from HD1 to SD1), and associated revision dates.

Adjusted internal document codes and template revision numbers to reflect the Senate version status.

REQUIREMENT

Minor text refinements were made to clarify that voter registration records are updated for 'their' name and address, removing redundant phrasing found in the House version.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date of the Act from a distant future date (July 1, 3000) to 'upon its approval,' indicating the Senate version is ready for immediate implementation once signed.

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

May 6, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kila, Kong, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (11) and none excused (0).

lower

May 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 1 (Senator(s) McKelvey). Excused, 0 (none).

upper

May 1, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 130-26) as amended in (CD 1).

lower

May 1, 2026

Introduced

48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.

upper

May 1, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 130-26).

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Upper · Passed

The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Awa.

upper

Apr 28, 2026

Lower · Passed

The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 3 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Perruso, Poepoe; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 0 Excused: none.

lower

Apr 27, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 24, 2026

Lower · Passed

Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.

lower

Apr 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-24-26 3:10PM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 22, 2026

Upper · Passed

Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-23-26 2:35PM; Conference Room 325.

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Amended

Senate disagrees with House amendments.

upper

Apr 16, 2026

Introduced

Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 636).

upper

Apr 14, 2026

Lower · Passed

Passed Third Reading with Representative(s) Cochran, Kila voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Hartsfield, Kong, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Olds, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (10) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). Transmitted to Senate.

lower

Apr 7, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 12 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 3 Noes: Representative(s) Hartsfield, Alcos, Gedeon; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Morikawa.

lower

Mar 30, 2026

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1555-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 25, 2026

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 3 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem, Sayama, Cochran.

lower

Mar 12, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 17

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 194) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 10, 2026

Upper · Passed

Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) McKelvey . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Lee, C.). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 18, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura.

upper

Feb 11, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-18-26 9:05AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Re-Referred to JDC.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors