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Bill > HB770
HI HB770
HI HB770Proposing Amendments To The Hawaii State Constitution To Establish A Continuous Legislative Session.
summary
Introduced
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
In Committee
01/21/2025
01/21/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Establishes a continuous Legislature. Requires the Legislature to convene at least once each month. Repeals language regarding special sessions, adjournment, and recesses. Creates a 2-year deadline for a bill to be submitted for gubernatorial consideration. Standardizes the number of days that the Governor must approve or veto a bill submitted for consideration. Requires the passage of the legislative budget within 45 days before the end of each fiscal year. Prohibits members of the legislature from holding any position of employment in the private sector during their term. Authorizes members to serve in the United States military reserves, National Guard, or hold any lawful position of government employment, subject to certain current ethical limitations. Establishes salaries of the members of the Legislature pursuant to recommendations by the Commission on Salaries submitted during the 2028 regular session, unless those recommendations are amended by law.
AI Summary
This bill proposes significant changes to Hawaii's state constitution to establish a continuous legislative session beginning in January 2029, transforming the state legislature from a part-time to a full-time body. The key provisions include requiring legislators to convene at least once each month, eliminating provisions for special sessions and recesses, prohibiting legislators from holding private sector employment during their term (while allowing military reserve or government employment), creating a two-year deadline for bill submission, standardizing the governor's bill review period to 90 calendar days, mandating that the legislative budget be passed 45 days before the end of each fiscal year, and establishing a new salary structure based on recommendations from the Commission on Salaries during the 2028 regular session. The bill will be placed on the ballot for voter approval, with the constitutional amendments taking effect after the 2026 general election and becoming fully operational on January 1, 2029. These changes aim to improve the legislature's efficiency and productivity by ensuring more continuous legislative work throughout the year and transforming the role of state legislators into full-time public servants.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (8)
Terez Amato (D)*,
Della Belatti (D)*,
Tina Grandinetti (D)*,
Ikaika Hussey (D)*,
Jeanné Kapela (D)*,
Amy Perruso (D)*,
Julie Reyes Oda (R)*,
Adrian Tam (D)*,
Last Action
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. (on 12/08/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=770&year=2026 |
| State Bill Page | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=770&year=2025 |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2026/bills/HB770_.HTM |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/sessions/session2025/bills/HB770_.HTM |
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