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SB2499Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Vacancies.

EngrossedHouse Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Introduced by Ronald Kouchi, District 8

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Amends the processes for addressing party candidate and state senator vacancies.

Where it stands

The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

March 17, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · February 13, 2026

3

Yes

0

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

5 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

What do people think?

Citizen Voice

How would you vote on this bill?

An unofficial public opinion poll. It does not affect the bill or the official vote.

One response per device. Location is self-reported and not verified. Results are informal and not a scientific survey.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Joy San Buenaventura2Absent
Stanley Chang9Absent
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Yes
Brenton Awa23Yes

Bill history

  1. Introduced.

  2. Passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to GVO, JDC.

  4. Re-Referred to JDC.

  5. The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  6. The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura.

  7. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2802) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.

  8. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading.

  9. One Day Notice 3/06/2026.

  10. Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

  11. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 58).

  12. Pass First Reading

  13. Referred to JHA, referral sheet 16

  14. Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-17-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

  15. The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.

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