Hawaii Senate Bill SB1516

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Proposing An Amendment To The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Provide For A Citizens Assembly And To Authorize The Citizens Assembly To Propose To The Legislature Constitutional And Statutory Revisions Or Amendments To The Laws Governing Elections, Political Campaigns, Campaign Finance, Ethics, Referendum, Reapportionment, Legislative Process, And Public Access To Information.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would result in the addition of a new article to the Hawaii State Constitution, creating a structured mechanism for citizen input on important governance topics. The citizens assembly, composed of 25 randomly selected registered voters from diverse demographics, will convene every four years starting in 2025. This periodic assembly will provide opportunities for public input, thereby aiming to produce more representative legislative proposals that could influence the laws governing vital areas of the state’s political framework.

Summary

Senate Bill 1516 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to establish a citizens assembly tasked with the authority to propose revisions or amendments to various laws pertaining to elections, political campaigns, campaign finance, ethics, referendum processes, reapportionment, the legislative process, and public access to information. This assembly is intended to enhance civic engagement and ensure that the state's governance reflects the interests of its residents through direct citizen involvement in the legislative process.

Contention

There may be contention surrounding the effectiveness and practicality of the citizens assembly. Critics could argue about the potential costs associated with convening the assembly and whether such a structure could genuinely reflect the broader population's interests. Furthermore, questions may arise regarding how effectively the assembly's proposals will be integrated into the legislative workflow, whether they will hold weight in legislative deliberations, and if the assembly's outcomes may inadvertently complicate existing political processes.