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SB5Introduced in the Senate

Relating To Legislative Vacancies.

EngrossedHouse Legislative Management

Introduced by Lorraine Inouye, District 1

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

Establishes that if a state legislative vacancy occurs due to the death or permanent incapacitation of the prior incumbent before a primary election, but after the close of filing for that election, and the prior incumbent was the only person whose name appeared on any ballot for that seat for that election, the Governor's appointment of a replacement shall be valid for both the unexpired term and the next succeeding term. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

Where it stands

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

December 8, 2025

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · February 21, 2025

3

Yes

1

No

1

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 Buenaventura2Yes
Stanley Chang9Yes
Karl Rhoads13Yes
Mike Gabbard21Absent
Brenton Awa23No

Bill history

  1. Pending Introduction.

  2. Introduced and passed First Reading.

  3. Referred to GVO, JDC.

  4. The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 01-28-25 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

  5. The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 01-30-25 3:01PM; Conference Room 225.

  6. The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Fevella.

  7. Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 182) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

  8. Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to JDC.

  9. The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-21-25 10:20AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

  10. 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, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

  11. Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 950) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.

  12. One Day Notice 03-04-25.

  13. Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

  14. Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 62) in amended form (SD 1).

  15. Pass First Reading

  16. Referred to LMG, JHA, referral sheet 19

  17. Bill scheduled to be heard by LMG on Wednesday, 03-19-25 2:45PM in House conference room 430 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.

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

  19. Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.

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