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Bill

SB 1397

RELATING TO STATE LEGISLATIVE VACANCIES.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ron Kouchi

SB 1397 modifies Hawaii's procedure for filling state legislative vacancies, referred to committees for review on procedural and legal implications.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
#legislativeappointments #legislativevacancies #primaryelection
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Bill Summary · SB 1397

Legislative bill overview

SB 1397 addresses the process for filling vacancies in the Hawaii state legislature. The bill has been introduced but specific amendment details are not provided in the available information. It was referred to the Government Operations (GVO) and Judiciary (JDC) committees, suggesting it involves procedural or legal framework changes.

Why is this important

Legislative vacancy procedures directly affect representation and government continuity. How vacancies are filled—whether through appointment, special election, or other mechanisms—determines who represents constituents and can influence the balance of power in the legislature.

Potential points of contention

  • Whether vacancies should be filled through gubernatorial appointment versus special elections (speed and representativeness tradeoffs)
  • Timeline requirements for filling positions and their impact on constituent representation
  • Party affiliation requirements or restrictions for replacement appointees
  • Cost considerations of special elections versus appointment processes

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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