Hawaii House Bill HB1168

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

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

Caption

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

Impact

If passed, this amendment would ensure that all individuals residing in Hawaii are counted for legislative representation, not just those deemed permanent residents. This could lead to a more equitable distribution of legislative seats, reflecting the actual population residing in each district. The change is expected to address the challenges of uneven representation that the current method has created. Many districts currently underrepresent families living in military housing and students, potentially leading to significant shifts in the distribution of political power within the state.

Summary

House Bill 1168 proposes amendments to Article IV, Sections 4 and 6 of the Hawaii State Constitution concerning the process of reapportionment. It seeks to redefine the method of calculating resident populations for the purpose of distributing seats in the State Legislature. Currently, Hawaii's laws require that only 'permanent residents' are included in the count, excluding thousands of military members, their dependents, and college students who reside in the state but are classified as non-permanent residents. This bill aims to rectify that by basing reapportionment on the total resident population as determined by the latest decennial U.S. census, thus aligning Hawaii's practices with those of forty-nine other states.

Contention

The proposed changes do face potential points of contention. Proponents argue for fairness and representation, citing the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause as a basis for including all residents in population counts. However, there may be opposition from those who believe that adjusting the representation metrics could disadvantage areas traditionally counted and could stir political implications tied to how district boundaries are drawn. The concern includes the fairness of representation for local constituents versus transient populations, prompting discussions about the long-term effects on state governance.