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SCR 158

URGING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ALL MEMBERS OF ANY CURRENT AND FUTURE ADMINISTRATION, TO ABIDE BY THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INCLUDING BY COMPLYING WITH ORDERS ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES COURTS.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Karl Rhoads

Symbolic resolution urging the President and future administrations to obey federal law and court orders, reaffirming the judiciary's role; has no binding effect.

Referred to JHA/LMG, referral sheet 28
#courtorders #judicialbranch #ruleoflaw #unitedstatespresident
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Bill Summary · SCR 158

SCR 158 — Concurrent Resolution (2025)

Urging the President of the United States, and all members of any current and future administration, to abide by the laws of the United States of America, including by complying with orders issued by the United States courts

Bill at a glance

  • Bill number: SCR 158 (Concurrent Resolution)
  • Introduced: March 7, 2025
  • Current status: Passed Senate as amended (SD1) and transmitted to House; referred to JHA/LMG (referral sheet 28) on April 4, 2025
  • Companion: SR 128

Purpose and intent

SCR 158 (SD1) is a symbolic, non‑binding resolution urging the President of the United States and members of any present and future presidential administration to obey federal law and to comply with lawful orders issued by U.S. courts. It frames this request as a reaffirmation of the rule of law, separation of powers, and the President’s constitutional duty under Article II to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.”

Key provisions / content (SD1)

  • Reiterates constitutional principles: government of laws, separation of powers, and the judiciary’s role as a coequal branch.
  • Expresses concern about reported instances where the President and executive officials have criticized the judiciary or failed to comply with federal court orders. Specific examples cited (in the resolution text) include alleged refusals to: halt freezing of certain federal funds, resume refugee admissions, and stop certain deportations asserted under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
  • Defends the use of nationwide injunctions in certain circumstances and cites judicial and legislative statements calling for respect for court orders.
  • Urges the President and all members of any current and future administration to abide by U.S. law and comply with orders issued by U.S. courts.
  • Directs that certified copies of the resolution be transmitted to specified federal officials (text truncated in provided version).

Who would be affected

  • The resolution addresses the President and executive-branch officials at the federal level, but it imposes no legal obligations.
  • Primary practical effect is expressive: it communicates the State of Hawaii’s position to federal officials and the public.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Introduced March 7, 2025.
  • Referred initially to the Senate Judiciary Committee (JDC); JDC reported it with amendments (SD1) and recommended passage. JDC vote (4/2/0/1 format): 3 Aye, 1 No, 1 Excused.
  • Senate adopted the resolution as amended (SD1) on April 3, 2025 (two Senators recorded No: Awa, DeCorte).
  • Transmitted to the House and referred there to JHA/LMG on April 4, 2025.
  • Because it is a concurrent resolution, adoption by both chambers would express the Legislature’s position but would not create binding law.

Note on original (pre‑SD1) text

The version of SCR 158 originally reported and titled “Automatic Voter Registration; Office of Elections; Working Group” proposed creation of a working group to study converting Hawaii’s automatic voter registration from opt‑in to opt‑out and to report recommendations (including proposed legislation) by 20 days before the 2026 Regular Session. That substantive voter‑registration language was replaced by the SD1 text urging compliance with federal law.

Impact and limitations

  • Impact: Primarily symbolic — reaffirms Hawaii’s support for judicial authority and urges adherence to court orders; could influence public debate or prompt distribution of the Legislature’s views to federal actors.
  • Limitations: As a concurrent resolution, SCR 158 has no force of law and cannot compel federal officials to act; it does not create enforcement mechanisms or change federal statutes or judicial procedures.

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

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