related to residency requirements for members of the Legislature

HB 269, HD1

Tuesday, March 19, 2013, 10:05 A..M.., Room 016

Testifier: Jean Aoki, Vice-President, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view HB269, HD1

Chair Hee, Vice Chair Shimabukuro, members of the Committee: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports HB269, HD1 which requires twelve consecutive months as the minimum time a candidate must reside in the legislative district from which the person is a candidate, especially since the law makes exceptions for displacements caused by redistricting after the national census. One should feel comfortably a member of the community, sharing the community's dreams and hopes for making the community and the state a better place for themselves and their children, before daring to represent the district at the legislature. We are pleased to see that the House Judiciary Committee amended the original bill to eliminate the proposed increase from 3 to 5 years as the minimum time candidates must reside in this State to serve in the State House of Representatives and State Senate. There was no good rationale for this provision, and the intent of the current measure is now clear. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on this measure.