HB 1395: RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-     Reports from neighborhood boards; elections.  (a)  The office of elections shall receive reports submitted to the office by counties pursuant to section 46-   .  The chief election officer shall inform the legislature regarding any county's noncompliance with section 46-   ."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§46-     Neighborhood boards; elections.  (a)  A county that uses neighborhood boards shall revise its charter, neighborhood plan, or ordain ordinances, as appropriate, and take necessary action to ensure that:

     (1)  A term of any neighborhood board member shall not exceed a period of one year;

     (2)  Eligible voters in a neighborhood may vote for members of their corresponding neighborhood board by electronic means and in-person means.

     (b)  Each county subject to this section shall issue timely reports to the office of elections regarding the county's compliance with this section.

     (c)  For the purposes of this section, "neighborhood board" means any neighborhood board that is subject to part VII of chapter 92."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2025-2026 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026-2027 for costs relating to compliance with this Act.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the city and county of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

Report Title:

Counties; Neighborhood Boards; Members; Elections; Appropriations

Description:

Requires counties that use neighborhood boards to ensure that:  (1) Board member terms do not exceed one year; and (2) Neighborhood residents may vote for members of their corresponding neighborhood board by electronic means and in‑person means.  Requires certain reports to and from the Office of Elections.  Appropriates moneys.

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