Bill > SB1594

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to establish legislative term limits in Hawaii, restricting members of the state legislature to a maximum of sixteen years of service, whether those years are served entirely in the House of Representatives, entirely in the Senate, or split between both chambers. The bill notes that at least fifteen other states have similar term limits, with eight states specifically adopting a sixteen-year limit (eight years in each chamber). The legislature argues that these term limits should be longer than the governor's eight-year limit to maintain a balance of power, given the governor's extensive executive branch authorities. If approved, the amendment would require a ballot measure asking voters whether they support limiting legislative service to sixteen years, with the new rule taking effect upon meeting constitutional requirements for amendments. The term limit would apply to the cumulative years served, meaning a legislator could not exceed sixteen total years across both chambers, regardless of whether those years are consecutive or not.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1594&year=2026