HI SR181

Requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study on the benefits and drawbacks of implementing a unicameral legislature in Hawaii.

Study must review the history of unicameral legislatures in America, including Nebraska's conversion from bicameral to unicameral system and recent experiences of Minnesota and other states considering this change.

Study must address eight specific effects of implementing a unicameral legislature: representativeness and responsiveness, stability of law, legislator accountability, legislator authority, concentration of power, quality of legislative decision-making, efficiency and economy, and legislative custom and precedent.

Cites concerns that Hawaii's current bicameral structure creates duplicative work, confusion for citizens, differing procedures between chambers, and decisions made in conference committees without public testimony.

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to submit its report no later than twenty days before the Regular Session of 2023.