HB1453 • 2026

RELATING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: TAM, KILA, TEMPLO, Matayoshi
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide information on the specific intent behind making meetings more accessible for certain groups.

Rules for Public Board Meetings

This bill sets a rule that public boards cannot start or continue meetings after 9:00 p.m., except for county council meetings.

What This Bill Does

Sets a time limit of 9:00 p.m. for when public board meetings can begin or continue.
Excludes county councils from this new rule, allowing them to have meetings past 9:00 p.m.

Who It Names or Affects

Public boards that hold meetings
People attending public board meetings

Terms To Know

Board: A group of people who make decisions for an organization or government body.
County council: The governing body responsible for making laws and policies in a county.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens if a board meeting goes past 9:00 p.m.
Only applies to boards, not other types of meetings or events.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-27 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 4
2025-01-23 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS.
Meeting Times; Boards; Limitations
Prohibits boards from beginning or continuing meetings after 9:00 p.m., excluding county council meetings.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1453

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1453

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to public meetings
.

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

����
SECTION
1.
�
The legislature finds that public
meetings should be conducted at times that are accessible to the general
public.
�
The legislature further finds
that public meetings conducted after 9:00 p.m. disadvantage those with work,
school, or caregiving obligations the following day.

����
Accordingly,
the purpose of this Act is to prohibit boards from beginning or continuing
meetings after 9:00 p.m., excluding county council meetings.

����
SECTION
2.
�
Chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes,
is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read
as follows:

����
"
�92-
�
Meeting times; limitations.
�
No
board shall begin or continue a meeting after 9:00 p.m.; provided that this section
shall not apply to county council meetings.
"

����
SECTION
3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Meeting
Times; Boards; Limitations

Description:

Prohibits
boards from beginning or continuing meetings after 9:00 p.m., excluding county
council meetings.

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