Hawaii House Bill HB1723

Hawaii 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/19/24
• Refer: 1/24/24

Caption

Proposing Amendments To Articles Ii, Iii, And Xvii Of The Constitution Of The State Of Hawaii To Provide For Initiative, Referendum, And Recall.

Impact

This bill would alter the existing framework of state law by allowing for direct legislative action from the constituents. Under the new provisions, a defined percentage of voter signatures would be required to bring an initiative or referendum to the ballot. The power to recall state officials would also be established, thereby allowing voters to remove officials who do not meet community standards of accountability. These changes center around fostering a more engaged and participatory electorate in Hawaii, potentially shifting the balance of legislative power.

Summary

House Bill 1723 proposes substantial amendments to Articles II, III, and XVII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, aiming to enhance the democratic process by introducing provisions for initiative, referendum, and recall. These amendments are introduced with the belief that voters currently lack sufficient power to influence legislation directly or remove elected officials. The proposed changes are designed to empower the public to propose laws and constitutional amendments, as well as to initiate recalls of officials who are deemed unresponsive to the electorate's needs.

Contention

While the intentions behind HB 1723 are to enhance democratic participation, the proposal may face opposition based on concerns about its repercussions. Critics might argue that such measures could lead to instability or be subject to manipulation by special interests. The bill's provisions preventing certain types of initiatives and the requirements for voter signatures are also points that may lead to debate over their sufficiency or fairness, particularly regarding access to the ballot for less organized groups. Furthermore, there may be apprehension about the implications of empowering voters to recall officials, which could contribute to political volatility.