Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

Hawaii House Bill HB140

Introduced

1/16/25

Refer

1/21/25

Caption

Proposing Amendments To Article Iv, Sections 4 And 6, Of The Hawaii State Constitution Regarding Reapportionment.

Impact

This amendment aims to rectify representation inequalities that have resulted from the existing reapportionment method. By including all residents—regardless of their permanent residency status—the bill seeks to enhance representation for citizens while ensuring that those providing state and county services are reflected in legislative voting populations. Given that non-permanent residents often contribute to the economy and community, their exclusion from count disproportionately affects urban districts that may hold large populations of transient individuals, potentially necessitating redistricting based on a wider base of constituents.

Summary

House Bill 140 proposes amendments to Article IV, Sections 4 and 6 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the reapportionment process. Currently, Hawaii's constitution mandates that reapportionment calculations exclude non-permanent residents, which can include military personnel, their families, and college students residing temporarily in the state. This bill intends to modify this approach, ensuring that reapportionment is based on the resident population as counted in the latest decennial United States census, rather than limiting the count to permanent residents, thereby aligning Hawaii with how most other states handle this matter.

Contention

There are concerns related to the implementation of HB 140. Proponents argue that it is essential for fair representation and reflects a commitment to ensuring that the legislature represents all individuals living in the state. However, opponents may question the potential implications for local governance and how the inclusion of non-permanent residents might influence districting and representation dynamics in the legislature. Additionally, there are discussions about whether the redistricting based on this broader definition of residency could lead to significant political shifts within the state depending on how districts are reconfigured under the revised law.