HB494 • 2026

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS.

Active

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

Sponsor: IWAMOTO, PIERICK
Last action: 2025-12-08
Official status: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide details on how the legislature will operate without this exemption or when it will take effect.

Removing Legislative Exemption from Open Meetings Law

This bill removes the exemption that allows Hawaii's Legislature to hold closed meetings without following open meeting laws.

What This Bill Does

Repeals a specific section of Hawaii Revised Statutes that allowed the legislature to exempt itself from open meeting requirements.

Who It Names or Affects

The members and staff of the Hawaii State Legislature
People who want to attend or know about meetings held by the legislature

Terms To Know

Open Meetings Law: A law that requires government meetings to be open to the public.
Exemption: An exception or special rule allowing certain groups to not follow a general law.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the legislature will make new rules for meetings.
It is unclear when this change will be implemented since it has not been signed into law yet.

Bill History

2025-12-08 D
Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
2025-01-21 H
Referred to LMG, JHA, FIN, referral sheet 2
2025-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2025-01-17 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO OPEN MEETINGS.
Open Meetings; Legislative Exemption; Repeal
Repeals the Legislature's exemption under the State's open meetings law.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB494

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

494

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO OPEN MEETINGS
.

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

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 92-10,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is repealed.

����
["
�92-10
�
Legislative branch;
applicability.
�

Notwithstanding any provisions contained in this chapter to the
contrary, open meeting requirements, and provisions regarding enforcement,
penalties and sanctions, as they are to relate to the state legislature or to
any of its members shall be such as shall be from time to time prescribed by
the respective rules and procedures of the senate and the house of
representatives, which rules and procedures shall take precedence over this
part.
�
Similarly, provisions relating to
notice, agenda and minutes of meetings, and such other requirements as may be
necessary, shall also be governed by the respective rules and procedures of the
senate and the house of representatives.
"]

����
SECTION
2.
�
Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Open
Meetings; Legislative Exemption; Repeal

Description:

Repeals
the Legislature's exemption under the State's open meetings law.

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