THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1424
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

PROPOSING AMENDMENTs TO article III of THE constitution of the state of hawaii to establish legislative term limits.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the house of representatives adopted House Resolution No. 9 (2022) to establish the commission to improve standards of conduct.  The resolution requests the commission ensure state laws and rules relating to standards of conduct of public officers and employees contain clear standards, enforcement, and penalties and provide recommendations to increase awareness of, compliance with, and deterrent effects of the code of ethics, lobbying laws, campaign finance laws, and other relevant laws and rules.

     Pursuant to House Resolution No. 9, the commission to improve standards of conduct convened regularly throughout 2022 to diligently review, discuss, and consider the issues presented, submitted an interim report to the house of representatives outlining areas of immediate and long-term focus, then continued its work with input from the public and invited individuals and agencies to issue a final report with various recommendations and accompanying proposed legislation.

     The legislature also finds that the strength and stability of our democratic government rely upon the public's trust in government institutions, including the expectation that officers act ethically with prudence, integrity, and sound judgement.  Therefore, an essential goal of the commission was to provide recommendations that would help restore public trust in state government and increase the level of transparency in its operations and accountability of individuals.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to implement recommendations of the commission to improve standards of conduct relating to setting limits on the number of years any person may serve as a member of the legislature during the person's lifetime.

     SECTION 2.  Article III of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"MAXIMUM LENGTH OF SERVICE

     Section    .  No person shall serve as a member of the legislature, whether as a member of the house of representatives, a member of the senate, or any combination thereof, for more than sixteen years during the person's lifetime.

     This section shall not apply to the legislative terms for those legislators who were elected or appointed to serve in either house of the legislature on or prior to the effective date of this Act."

     SECTION 3.  The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

    "Shall a person subsequently appointed or elected to the legislature be limited to serving no more than sixteen years as a member of the legislature, whether as a member of the house of representatives, a member of the senate, or any combination thereof, during the person's lifetime?"

     SECTION 4.  New constitutional material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct; Constitutional Amendment; Legislators; Term Limits

 

Description:

Proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit a person from serving as a member of the legislature for more than sixteen years during the person's lifetime.

 

 

 

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