Hawaii House Bill HR73

Hawaii 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/6/25
• Refer: 3/14/25

Caption

Requesting The Attorney General To Develop And Recommend A Process By Which Government Officials' Salaries Shall Be Determined By Voters.

Impact

If enacted, HR73 could lead to significant changes in how government officials' salaries are established. By giving voters the responsibility to determine these salaries, it introduces a democratic element into government wage-setting practices. This could empower constituents, ensuring that government compensation reflects the public's perspective on governmental performance and priorities. The involvement of the electorate may also alleviate concerns regarding potential over-compensation or misalignment of salaries with public service values.

Summary

House Resolution 73 (HR73) requests the Attorney General of Hawaii to develop a process by which the salaries of government officials can be determined by voters. The resolution asserts that government officials are servants of the people and should be compensated in a way that does not impose an undue financial burden on taxpayers. The intention is to align compensation with the will of the constituents, thereby fostering a sense of public accountability and involvement in government financial matters. This resolution highlights a growing demand for transparency and fairness in how taxpayer funds are utilized for government salaries.

Contention

There could be notable points of contention surrounding HR73, primarily concerning the feasibility and practicality of implementing such a process. Critics may argue that determining salaries through popular vote could politicize compensation, leading to irregularities or populist decisions that might not be in the best interest of government efficiency. Furthermore, concerns may arise about the implications this process may have on the recruitment and retention of qualified officials if their compensation is subject to voter opinion alone. Supporters would need to address these potential drawbacks while advocating for greater public participation in governance.