PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 4, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII TO ESTABLISH TERM LIMITS FOR LEGISLATORS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 11 co-sponsors

House Bill 764 proposes term limits for Hawaii legislators, promoting fresh perspectives and reducing entrenched power, benefiting voters and reshaping the political landscape.

Introduced and Pass First Reading.

#constitutionalamendment #legislativetermlimits(conam)

# Summary of House Bill 764 ## Bill Information - **Bill Number:** HB 764 - **Title:** Proposing an Amendment to Article III, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to Establish Term Limits for Legislators - **Status:** Introduced and Passed First Reading - **Introduced:** March 11, 2025 - **Classification:** Bill - **Subject:** Constitutional Amendment, Legislative Term Limits (ConAm) ## Purpose and Intent House Bill 764 aims to propose an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii that would establish term limits for state legislators. The intent behind this legislation is to promote democratic principles by ensuring that elected officials do not hold office indefinitely, thereby encouraging fresh perspectives and reducing the potential for entrenched political power. ## Key Provisions - **Term Limits:** The proposed amendment would set specific limits on the number of terms that legislators can serve in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. - **Legislative Structure:** The bill seeks to revise Article III, Section 4 of the Hawaii Constitution, which currently does not impose term limits on legislators. ## Affected Parties - **Legislators:** Current and future members of the Hawaii State Legislature would be directly impacted by the implementation of term limits. - **Voters:** The electorate would benefit from increased opportunities to elect new representatives, potentially leading to a more dynamic legislative environment. - **Political Parties:** Political parties may need to adjust their strategies for candidate recruitment and support in light of the new term limits. ## Procedural Aspects - **Timeline:** - **Introduced:** March 11, 2025 - **Passed First Reading:** March 11, 2025 - **Subsequent Legislative Actions:** The bill has progressed through various readings and committee reports, indicating a positive reception in the legislative process. - **Next Steps:** Following its introduction and first reading, the bill will need to undergo further readings and approvals in both the House and Senate before it can be placed on the ballot for voter consideration. ## Conclusion House Bill 764 represents a significant shift in the legislative framework of Hawaii by proposing term limits for state legislators. If passed, this amendment could reshape the political landscape by fostering a more diverse and representative government. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process, with further actions required to advance it toward potential voter approval.