Bills

SB 2397: Neighborhood Boards; Vacancies; Quorum Requirements

Session Year: 2025-2026
House: Senate
Latest Version Date: 2026-04-29

Current Status:

Passed

(2026-06-04: Act 077, on 06/03/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1177).)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

What does this bill do?

When a City and County of Honolulu neighborhood board has vacant seats, the bill allows a majority of the currently filled seats to count as a quorum so the board can conduct official business and hold discussions related to voting. The board may hear information or testimony without a quorum, but it cannot make decisions on those matters until a quorum is present.

Version:

Establishes that when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of the filled seats shall constitute quorum for conducting official board business and discussions before and related to voting. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)

Version:

SB2397 CD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2397
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1
		C.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

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

SECTION 1. Section 92-81, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) A quorum for a meeting of a neighborhood board or community outreach board shall be required for:

(1) Conducting official board business;

(2) Discussions before and related to voting; and

(3) Voting required to validate an act of the board as part of official board business[.];

A neighborhood board or community outreach board may receive information or testimony on a matter of official board business without a quorum; provided that the board shall not make a decision on the issue. The board members, at the next meeting of the board, shall report the matters presented as information or testimony."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2027.

Report Title:

Neighborhood Boards; Vacancies; Quorum Requirements

Description:

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

SB2397 HD1

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2397
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		H.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

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

SECTION 1. Section 92-81, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) A quorum for a meeting of a neighborhood board or community outreach board shall be required for:

(1) Conducting official board business;

(2) Discussions before and related to voting; and

(3) Voting required to validate an act of the board as part of official board business[.];

provided that, if a neighborhood board overseen by a neighborhood commission of the city and county of Honolulu has a vacancy, notwithstanding section 92-15, a majority of the filled seats on the neighborhood board shall constitute a quorum for conducting official board business and discussions before and related to voting, and the concurrence of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which quorum is established shall be necessary to validate any act of the board as part of official board business.

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Neighborhood Boards; Vacancies; Quorum Requirements

Description:

Establishes that when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of the filled seats shall constitute quorum for conducting business and a majority vote of the members present at the board's meeting shall validate an act of the board as part of its official business. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

2026-1629 SB2397 SD1 SMA.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2397
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.

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

SECTION 1. Section 92-81, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) A quorum for a meeting of a neighborhood board or community outreach board shall be required for:

(1) Conducting official board business;

(2) Discussions before and related to voting; and

(3) Voting required to validate an act of the board as part of official board business[.];

provided that if a neighborhood board overseen by a neighborhood commission of the city and county of Honolulu has a vacancy, notwithstanding section 92-15, only a majority of all seats on the neighborhood board that are filled shall constitute a quorum to conduct official board business and discussion before and related to voting and the concurrence of a majority of all members present at a meeting at which quorum is established shall be necessary to make any act of the board as part of official board business valid.

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2525.

Report Title:

Neighborhood Boards; Vacancies; Quorum Requirements

Description:

Establishes that when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of all seats that are filled shall constitute quorum to conduct business and a majority vote of the members present at the board's meeting hall validate an act of the board as part of its official business. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

SB2397

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2397
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Neighborhood Boards.

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

SECTION 1. Section 92-81, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (d) to read as follows:

"(d) A quorum for a meeting of a neighborhood board or community outreach board shall be required for:

(1) Conducting official board business;

(2) Discussions before and related to voting; and

(3) Voting required to validate an act of the board as part of official board business[.];

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Neighborhood Boards; Vacancies; Quorum Requirements

Description:

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

Date	Status
Jun 4, 2026	Act 077, on 06/03/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1177).
Jun 4, 2026	Act 077, 06/03/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1177).
May 8, 2026	Enrolled to Governor.
May 8, 2026	Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).
May 6, 2026	Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).
May 6, 2026	Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).
May 6, 2026	Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.
Apr 29, 2026	Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.
Apr 29, 2026	Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 90-26) as amended in (CD 1).
Apr 29, 2026	48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.
Apr 29, 2026	Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 90-26).
Apr 28, 2026	The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Belatti, Poepoe, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.
Apr 28, 2026	The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Rhoads, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Apr 27, 2026	Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-28-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016.
Apr 23, 2026	Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-27-26 10:00AM; Conference Room 016.
Apr 21, 2026	Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 800).
Apr 21, 2026	House Conferees Appointed: Tarnas Chair; Belatti, Poepoe, Shimizu.
Apr 20, 2026	Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714).
Apr 20, 2026	Senate Conferees Appointed: McKelvey Chair; Rhoads Co-Chair; Awa.
Apr 16, 2026	Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710).
Apr 16, 2026	Senate disagrees with House amendments.
Apr 16, 2026	Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 654).
Apr 14, 2026	Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate.
Apr 9, 2026	Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1; placed on the calendar for Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran excused (1).
Apr 9, 2026	Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1974-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading.
Apr 7, 2026	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, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Sayama, Cochran.
Apr 2, 2026	Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 04-07-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Mar 18, 2026	Referred to JHA, referral sheet 18
Mar 12, 2026	Pass First Reading
Mar 12, 2026	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 406) in amended form (SD 1).
Mar 12, 2026	Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Fevella). Transmitted to House.
Mar 10, 2026	48 Hrs. Notice 03-12-26
Mar 10, 2026	Report filed.
Mar 10, 2026	Separated Committee Report.
Mar 10, 2026	Floor amendment adopted as amended (SD 1).
Mar 10, 2026	Floor Amendment No. 4 offered.
Mar 6, 2026	One Day Notice 03-10-26.
Mar 6, 2026	Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2986) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
Feb 27, 2026	The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Feb 23, 2026	The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 02-27-26 10:30AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
Feb 11, 2026	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC.
Feb 11, 2026	Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2151) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC.
Feb 5, 2026	The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Hashimoto.
Feb 3, 2026	The committee(s) on GVO deferred the measure until 02-05-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 30, 2026	The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 28, 2026	Referred to GVO, JDC.
Jan 21, 2026	Introduced and passed First Reading.
Jan 20, 2026	Pending Introduction.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
May 6, 2026	Final Reading	House Floor	52 0 0 Passed
May 6, 2026	Final Reading	Senate Floor	25 0 0 Passed
Apr 14, 2026	Third Reading	House Floor	52 0 0 Passed
Apr 7, 2026	The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs	8 0 2 Passed
Mar 12, 2026	Third Reading	Senate Floor	24 0 1 Passed
Feb 27, 2026	The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary	5 0 0 Passed
Feb 5, 2026	The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations	4 0 1 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

SSCR2986 Finnley Brakke SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 32 2011-01-28T03:25:00Z 2026-03-06T22:52:00Z 2026-03-06T22:52:00Z 2 278 1473 House of Representatives 21260 65 20 1749 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2986

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2397

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2397 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish that when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of all seats that are filled shall constitute quorum to conduct business and a majority vote of the members present at the board's meeting shall validate an act of the board as part of its official business.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices.

Your Committee finds that vacancies and absences often prevent neighborhood boards in the City and County of Honolulu from conducting official business due to quorum requirements that call for a majority of all members to which a board is entitled. This obstructs neighborhood boards from effectively fulfilling their role as community forums that facilitate dialogue and address local issues. This measure improves the effectiveness of neighborhood boards while preserving the integrity of voting procedures.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2397 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair

SSCR2151 Gregory LaMontagne SSCR Ainoa Naniole 2 13 2026-02-06T23:33:00Z 2026-02-10T22:30:00Z 2026-02-10T22:30:00Z 2 319 1687 House of Representatives 21199 69 20 2002 16.00 Print 0 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;}

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2151

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2397

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2397 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish that, when a neighborhood board of the City and County of Honolulu has a vacancy, a majority of all seats that are filled shall constitute a quorum to conduct business and a majority vote of the members present at the board's meeting shall validate an act of the board as part of its official business.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from six individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices.

Your Committee finds that official business conducted by neighborhood board meetings throughout the City and County of Honolulu have been delayed or cancelled repeatedly because of the inability of neighborhood boards to reach a quorum due to frequent vacancies. This measure will enable the productivity and efficiency of the neighborhood boards for the betterment of communities by lowering the threshold for what constitutes a quorum for conducting business to a majority of all filled seats on the neighborhood board and for what constitutes a quorum for validating a neighborhood board's official business to a majority of all the neighborhood board members present.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2397 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

________________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Apr 7, 2026	SB2397_SD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_04-07-26_.PDF
Feb 27, 2026	SB2397_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-27-26_.PDF
Feb 3, 2026	SB2397_TESTIMONY_GVO_02-03-26_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

1MIN

Authors shown for version:
SB2397_CD1 (4/29/2026)

SB 2397: Neighborhood Boards; Vacancies; Quorum Requirements

Current Status:

What does this bill do?

TO: Senate Bill No. 2397

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

Conference Committee

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs

Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary

Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations

Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations