Hawaii Senate Bill SB927

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/20/23
• Refer: 1/27/23
• Report Pass: 2/7/23
• Refer: 2/7/23
• Report Pass: 3/3/23
• Engrossed: 3/7/23
• Refer: 3/9/23
• Enrolled: 3/13/23

Caption

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

Impact

The proposed amendments intend to address current disparities in representation within the state legislature that arise from the exclusion of non-permanent residents from the reapportionment process. By changing the basis for reapportionment to reflect the entire resident population, the bill aims to create more equal representation across districts, eliminating the negative effects of undercounting certain populations. This could lead to more balanced resource allocation and legislative attention across Hawaii's diverse communities, particularly in areas heavily populated by military families and university students.

Summary

SB927 aims to amend Article IV, Sections 4 and 6 of the Hawaii State Constitution to ensure that reapportionment is based on the total resident population, including non-permanent residents, rather than solely on permanent residents. The bill reflects a significant shift in how representation is calculated, aligning Hawaii's process more closely with the standard practices used by the majority of other states, which utilize census data that incorporates all residents. This amendment seeks to improve fairness in representation, ensuring that individuals who contribute to local communities, such as military personnel and students, are counted regardless of their permanent residency status.

Sentiment

The general sentiment surrounding SB927 appears to be favorable, particularly among advocates for inclusivity and representation. Supporters argue that including more residents in the population counts will enhance democratic participation and reflect the realities of community composition. However, there may be some contention regarding how this change could affect political power dynamics, with concerns from those who favor maintaining traditional measures of residency and representation.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding SB927 involves the implications it could have for existing political structures. Some critics may express concerns that a broader definition of residents for reapportionment purposes could lead to shifts in legislative power that might disadvantage certain established political factions. Additionally, there are potential debates regarding the administrative feasibility of implementing the new standards, specifically in ensuring accurate counts of transient populations.