Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 1225: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO SPECIFY THAT THE STANDARD FOR VOTER APPROVAL OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IS A MAJORITY OF ALL THE VOTES TALLIED UPON THE QUESTION.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 1225 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 21, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE XVII, SECTION 3 OF THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO SPECIFY THAT THE STANDARD FOR VOTER APPROVAL OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PROPOSED BY THE LEGISLATURE IS A MAJORITY OF ALL THE VOTES TALLIED UPON THE QUESTION. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Mike Gabbard (Democratic). It lists 1 additional sponsor. Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Proposes to amend article XVII, section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution regarding the standard for ratification of a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature, to require that a majority of all the votes tallied upon the question be a "yes" vote, and not include blank, spoiled, and over votes in determining whether a majority was reached. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 5
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karl Rhoads | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 13 |
| Stanley Chang | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| Carol Fukunaga | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 11 |
| Mike Gabbard | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 21 |
| Joy San Buenaventura | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1463) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
- Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Reyes Oda voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Kong, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (7) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5).
- The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: none; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia, Shimizu; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.
- Notice of bill proposing constitutional amendment transmitted to Governor pursuant to Article XVII, Section 3 (Sen. Com. No. 1).
- Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Wednesday, 03-12-25 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
- Pass First Reading
- Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19
- Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 19; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Gabbard, Richards. Noes, 6 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella, Kim, McKelvey, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 278).
- Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 946) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
- One Day Notice 03-04-25.
Showing 12 most recent of 21 actions. Full history