Hawaii · 2025 Regular Session · Bill
SB 311: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
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 311 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 14, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII STATE CONSTITUTION REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Primary sponsor: Karl Rhoads (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), Carol Fukunaga (Democratic), Lorraine Inouye (Democratic), KIDANI, Angus McKelvey (Democratic), Sharon Moriwaki (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 2 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (March 18, 2025): Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1329) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
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 an amendment to the Hawaii State Constitution to provide that freedom of speech protected under the Hawaii State Constitution does not include the expenditure of money to influence elections. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9
| 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 |
| Lorraine Inouye | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 1 |
| KIDANI | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Angus McKelvey | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 6 |
| Sharon Moriwaki | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 12 |
| Joy San Buenaventura | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
| Mike Gabbard | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 21 |
| Tim Richards | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 4 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1329) 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 none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Garcia, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (5) and Representative(s) Cochran, Ward excused (2).
- 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
- Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 130) in amended form (SD 1).
- Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 713) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
- Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1).
- 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
Showing 12 most recent of 18 actions. Full history