Hawaii House Bill HB855

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/27/21
• Refer: 1/29/21

Caption

Proposing Amendments To Articles Ii, Iii, And Xvii Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Provide For Initiative, Referendum, And Recall.

Impact

If enacted, HB 855 will fundamentally change the legislative landscape in Hawaii. The initiative process will require signatures from a certain percentage of registered voters, specifically fifteen percent for laws and twenty percent for constitutional amendments, thus allowing citizens to directly influence legislation. The popular referendum process will also be instituted, allowing voters to approve or reject state statutes. Those changes provide checks and balances on the government, enabling a more defined role for the populace in governance.

Summary

House Bill 855 seeks to amend the Constitution of the State of Hawaii by introducing provisions for direct initiatives, popular referendums, and the recall of elected officials. This bill aims to empower Hawaii's voters by allowing them the ability to propose legislation, challenge laws, and remove officials from office, thereby promoting a more direct form of democracy. The proposed amendments will define specific processes and requirements necessary for each method of popular participation, supporting the view that voters should play a more active role in legislative matters that affect their lives.

Contention

Points of contention surrounding HB 855 may arise from concerns about the implications of such direct participation. Critics argue that while direct democracy can enhance voter engagement, it can also lead to instability and allow well-organized interest groups to manipulate the electoral process. There are apprehensions regarding the expensive and time-consuming nature of gathering signatures for initiatives, as well as potential conflicts when various measures compete on the ballot. Additionally, the provisions for recall elections may be seen as potentially destabilizing for elected officials, especially if initiated on the basis of dissatisfaction rather than substantial legislative failures.