RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

HB1465

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1465

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating
to the legislature
.

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

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SECTION 1.
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The
legislature finds that members of the legislature need to maintain a residence
in reasonable proximity to the state capitol year-round.
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All lawmakers are also required by law to
maintain a home in their district.
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To
realize equity in representation for all neighbor island legislators, the legislature
finds a need for a basic housing allowance for those that deem it necessary to
have a residence in proximity to the state capitol in addition to their
in-district residence, as is typical with many federal government assignments
outside of district.

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For all legislators that maintain a primary
residence outside of the capitol district on other islands, a basic allowance
for housing should be available where:

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(1)
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If
a basic housing allowance is granted, rates are to be in conformance with and
never exceed federal standards;

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(2)
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Members
who have been granted a full basic housing allowance will have per diem out of
session reduced by the housing amount and paid only the meals and incidental
expenses component of per diem; and

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(3)
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Members
seeking to obtain the basic housing allowance must be approved for the basic
housing allowance by the president of the senate or speaker of the house of representatives,
as applicable.

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SECTION 2.
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Chapter 24, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as
follows:

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"
�24-
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Basic
housing allowance for a non-Oahu legislator during session.
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In addition to the allowance allowed under section 24-2, a member

of the legislature whose legal residence is on an island other than the island
of Oahu may, upon approval by the president of the senate or speaker of the
house of representatives, as applicable, receive a basic housing allowance
during session, which shall be set at a rate equal to, but not to exceed, the O-9
per diem rate for lodging established by the Defense Travel Management Office.
"

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SECTION
3
.
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Section 24-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:

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"
�24-2
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Allowance for non-Oahu legislator during session.
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(a)
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A member of the legislature whose legal residence is on an island other than

the island of
Oahu shall receive an additional allowance to cover all
personal expenses [
such as board, lodging,
] and incidental expenses but
not travel expenses.
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The allowance under
this section shall be set at a single rate that will:

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(1)
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Not exceed the greater of the maximum
allowance for such expenses payable to any public officer or employee of the
federal government or the State;

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(2)
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Be reasonably calculated to cover the expenses
specified in this section; and

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(3)
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Be determined jointly by the president of the
senate and the speaker of the house of representatives for the legislature as a
whole.

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(b)
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The allowance shall be paid to each member at
the rate prescribed for each day, from the first to the last day of each
session, including Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and days of recess pursuant to
the mandatory recess required by article III, section 10, of the Constitution
or a concurrent resolution, except for days of recess when a session of the
legislature is recessed for more than three days pursuant to a concurrent
resolution and for days of unexcused absence of the member from a meeting of
the respective house."

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SECTION
4.
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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 the purposes of
this Act.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
senate for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION
5.
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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 the purposes of
this Act.

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The sums

appropriated shall be expended by the
house of representatives for the purposes of this Act.

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SECTION
6.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory
material is underscored.

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SECTION 7.
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This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2025.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Legislators;
Basic Housing Allowance; Per Diem; Appropriation

Description:

Establishes
a basic housing allowance for legislators whose legal residence is on an island
other than the island of Oahu during session.
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Appropriates funds.

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