Proposing an amendment to the Hawaii Constitution related to residence requirements for members of the Legislature

Senate Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations (JGO) - chair: Taniguchi, vice chair: Takamine

Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 9:00 A.M. Conference Room 016

Testifier: JoAnn Maruoka, LWV of Hawaii Legislative Team Member

Click here to view SB1215

Chair Taniguchi, Vice Chair Takamine, and members, The League of Women Voters supports SB 1215, which increases the requirement for candidates' residency in the respective legislative district for which they will run to not less than twelve months. We agree with the added eligibility requirement of twelve consecutive months residency in the respective senatorial or representative district. This is appropriate, and considering experiences in past elections, appears to be needed. Importantly, the one-year residency requirement helps increase the likelihood of the candidates' familiarity with the interests, needs, and issues of the citizens of the district. This may also help add to public confidence and trust in representative government. As noted in our testimony on the similar SB 299 earlier today, SB 1215 is the better bill. We urge you to pass SB 1215. Thank you for this opportunity to testify.