Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Hawaii
Democratic
· Senator
Brandon Elefante
Represents District 16 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
95%
on 64 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 100%
Cast a vote
99%
Yea or Nay on 1,047 of 1,058 roll calls · Senate median 89%
Their bills that became law
40 of 237
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 31.5
Roll calls on record
1,058
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 10, 2026 from LegiScan (CC BY 4.0), which republishes the legislature’s own records. Profile details from OpenStates / Plural Policy. Figures cover 2026 Regular Session.
How Brandon Elefante votes
A party-line vote is a roll call where most voting Democrats and most voting Republicans took opposite sides. Absences and not-voting are never counted. Same method as our Congress pages.
Where Brandon Elefante sits in the Senate
Each dot is one member of the Senate, placed by how often they voted on the Democratic side of party-line votes. Brandon Elefante is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
3 of 64 party-line votes.
HB2344 · Relating To School Facilities.
In plain English Creates a temporary commission to develop recommendations for school consolidations, realignments, and closures, with expedited approval and funding.
Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-04-06 · Passed 9–3 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB1741 · Relating To Housing.
In plain English Requires counties to treat inclusionary housing mandates as impact fees and base them on written findings of necessity and financial feasibility.
Senate Housing: Passed, Unamended · 2026-03-19 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB106 · Relating To Pedestrians.
In plain English Requires drivers to yield to pedestrians crossing in crosswalks and establishes a three-year pedestrian safety pilot program in certain counties.
Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-01-30 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
HB1741 · Relating To Housing.
In plain English Requires counties to treat inclusionary housing mandates as impact fees and base them on written findings of necessity and financial feasibility.
Senate Housing: Passed, Unamended · 2026-03-19 · Passed 3–2
SB1092 · Relating To Transportation Demand Management.
Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-02-13 · Passed 3–2
SB762 · Relating To Agricultural Crimes.
Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-02-07 · Passed 2–1
SB1022 · Relating To Animal Endangerment.
Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-02-07 · Passed 2–1
SB52 · Relating To Carbon Offsets.
Senate Transportation and Culture and the Arts: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-02-05 · Passed 3–2
Republicans they vote with most
Share of contested roll calls (the losing side got at least 10%) where both voted and landed on the same side. Unanimous votes are left out, because on those everyone agrees.
Samantha DeCorteRepublican · District 22 · 47 shared contested votes
9%
Their session, month by month
Dark bars are roll calls they were recorded on each month; the red part is the ones without a Yea or Nay (11 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Hawaii Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Brandon Elefante was a primary sponsor of this session. Most bills from either party never leave committee; in Illinois many never get past the Assignments or Rules committee.
Introduced237
Out of committee130
Passed one chamber98
Passed both chambers41
Became law40
Never left committee107
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 31.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Appropriation ($) 36DOE 33Report 19Reports 19Appropriations ($) 16UH 15
Relating To Deaf Individuals.
In plain English Allows deaf vehicle owners to register their vehicles with a deafness designation visible to law enforcement officers.
Official synopsis: Authorizes deaf motor vehicle owners to register their vehicle as being owned by a deaf individual so that a deafness designation appears when a law enforcement officer accesses the motor vehicle's information. Effective 1/1/2027. (CD1)
Became lawAct 261, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1364). · 2026-07-15
Relating To Kupuna Housing.
In plain English Removes the expiration date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna.
Official synopsis: Repeals the sunset date for the State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna. (CD1)
Became lawAct 250, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1352). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Corruption.
In plain English Establishes a nine-year statute of limitations for bribery offenses.
Official synopsis: Establishes a statute of limitations of nine years for a bribery offense. (CD1)
Became lawAct 225, on 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1327). · 2026-07-10
Relating To The Banyan Drive Community Development District.
In plain English Establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District within the Hawaii Community Development Authority and specifies related powers, duties, and fund allocations.
Official synopsis: Establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District within the Hawaii Community Development Authority. Establishes the Banyan Drive Community Development District Special Fund. Specifies the powers and duties of HCDA as it relates to the District. Amends the composition of HCDA to include representatives of the…
Became lawAct 206, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1308). · 2026-07-09
Relating To Privacy.
In plain English Criminalizes sharing intimate or private images without consent and allows extended prison sentences if the victim's death results.
Official synopsis: Establishes the nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images as a criminal offense. Amends the criteria for an extended term of imprisonment to include defendants whose act of attempting to commit or committing the offense of nonconsensual disclosure of intimate or private images against a…
Became lawAct 196, on 07/07/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1298). · 2026-07-07
Relating To Language Access.
In plain English Establishes a Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii with new positions and funding.
Official synopsis: Establishes a Language Access Education and Workforce Development Program at the University of Hawaii. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Became lawAct 179, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1281). · 2026-06-26
Relating To Community Development.
In plain English Requires each county to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes roads to vehicles and allows pedestrian, cyclist, and community activities.
Official synopsis: Requires each county, in collaboration with the Hawaii Community Development Authority, to establish a Summer Streets Pilot Program that closes vehicular traffic and repurposes roads for pedestrian and cyclist use, outdoor events, and other community-driven activities. Authorizes each county to consult with the Department of…
Became lawAct 176, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1278). · 2026-06-26
Relating To The University Of Hawaii.
In plain English Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu, including one full-time position and supplies and equipment.
Official synopsis: Appropriates funds to establish a bachelor's degree program in agricultural science at the University of Hawaii-West Oahu; to fund one full-time equivalent (1.0 FTE) position; and for supplies and equipment to support the programs. (CD1)
Became lawAct 154, on 06/25/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1255). · 2026-06-26
Relating To The University Of Hawaii.
In plain English Allows the University of Hawaii to use its tuition and fees fund for donor evaluations and requires reporting those evaluations to the Legislature.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the use of the University of Hawaii Tuition and Fees Special Fund to conduct donor evaluations. Requires the related report to the Legislature to include any donor evaluations conducted using moneys from the fund. (CD1)
Became lawAct 117, on 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1217). · 2026-06-09
Relating To Government.
In plain English Allows retired government employees to work as school resource officers without losing retirement benefits or rejoining the retirement system.
Official synopsis: Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of retirement benefits if the retirant is employed as a school resource officer identified by the Department of Law Enforcement or other law enforcement agency as a…
Became lawAct 113, on 06/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1213). · 2026-06-09
Relating To The Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program.
In plain English Allows the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard tuition assistance program to cover graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the Adjutant General to expand the Hawaii National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program to include graduate degrees at the University of Hawaii for qualified enlisted personnel in the Hawaii National Guard. (CD1)
Became lawAct 065, on 05/29/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1165). · 2026-05-29
Relating To Transportation.
In plain English Restricts commercial vehicles and vehicles towing trailers from using the far left lane on certain multi-lane roads, with exemptions and penalties.
Official synopsis: Amends the prohibition on the use of the far left lane by commercial vehicles on roadways with three or more lanes going in the same direction. Restricts motor vehicles towing a vehicle or trailer from using the far left lane, subject to specified exemptions. Establishes…
Became lawAct 044, on 05/27/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1144). · 2026-05-27
Relating To County Labor Standards.
In plain English Allows counties to require contractors to disclose worker wage and employment information, and to deny or revoke building permits for violations, with exemptions for owner-occupied homes.
Official synopsis: Authorizes counties to require contractors to disclose employee wage, benefit, hour, and employmentstatus information. Authorizes counties to deny, revoke, or suspend building permits for violations of related laws under certain conditions. Establishes a process by which an owner or developer may replace a noncompliant contractor…
Became lawAct 027, on 05/22/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1127). · 2026-05-26
Encouraging The United States Navy To Take Responsibility For The Eradication Of Octocoral And Other Invasive Species From The Waters Of Pearl Harbor, Including West Loch, Middle Loch, And East Loch.
Became lawCertified copies of resolutions sent, 05-22-26. · 2026-05-22
Encouraging The United States Navy To Take Responsibility For The Eradication Of Octocoral And Other Invasive Species From The Waters Of Pearl Harbor, Including West Loch, Middle Loch, And East Loch.
Became lawCertified copies of resolutions sent, 05-22-26. · 2026-05-22
“In plain English” lines are written by ThePolitibase with AI (Claude), from the official synopsis only; the synopsis is the authoritative text. Descriptions are the legislature’s own synopsis. Bill data from LegiScan, CC BY 4.0.
Loading committees…
SB2338 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Housing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1661 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Cafeteria Plans. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2272 · 2026-05-01
Making Emergency Appropriations For Public Employment Cost Items. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2271 · 2026-05-01
Making Emergency Appropriations For Public Employment Cost Items. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1509 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Workers' Compensation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2400 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Transportation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1888 · 2026-05-01
Relating To The Safety Of Educational Workers. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3215 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Harbor Safety. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2567 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Petitions To Temporarily Restrain And Enjoin Harassment Of An Employee. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2094 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Jury Duty. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2645 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Fire Prevention. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1890 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Education. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1541 · 2026-05-01
Relating To The Department Of Health. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2543 · 2026-05-01
Relating To State Construction Projects. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1960 · 2026-04-30
Relating To Human Trafficking. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1838 · 2026-04-30
Relating To Visas. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1800 · 2026-04-30
Relating To The State Budget. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2140 · 2026-04-29
Relating To County Labor Standards. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3069 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Civil Service Exempt Positions Within The Department Of Accounting And General Services. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2385 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Housing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3001 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Artificial Intelligence. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1711 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Housing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2852 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Civil Rights. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3076 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Tobacco Enforcement. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1740 · 2026-04-28
Relating To The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB99 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Government. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2697 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Transportation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3156 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Federal Military Installations. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3096 · 2026-04-28
Relating To The Employees' Retirement System's Employer Contributions For Normal Cost And Accrued Liability. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2137 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Artificial Intelligence. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1515 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Workers' Compensation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1514 · 2026-04-24
Relating To Workers' Compensation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2053 · 2026-04-24
Relating To Transportation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3082 · 2026-04-24
Relating To Military Families. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3097 · 2026-04-24
Relating To The Exemption From Civil Service Of Executive Personnel Of The Employees' Retirement System. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1682 · 2026-04-24
Relating To The Disclosure Of Intimate Images. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2135 · 2026-04-24
Relating To Privacy. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3131 · 2026-04-23
Relating To Personnel. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR85 · 2026-04-17
Urging The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Transfer Parcels That Make Up The East Kapolei Transit-oriented Development Project To The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation And Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Partner With The Department Of Hawaiian Home Lands And Hawaii Community Development Authority To Facilitate The Development Of Non-housing Community Development Portions Of The Project. (Senate Housing: Passed, Unamended)
HCR112 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Department Of Human Resources Development To Collaborate With State Departments, Agencies, And Labor Organizations In Completing The Comprehensive Review Of The Classification And Compensation Systems For All Civil Service Positions Under Its Jurisdiction. (Senate Labor and Technology: Passed, Unamended)
HCR98 · 2026-04-16
Requesting The Department Of Housing And Land Management Of The City And County Of Honolulu To Develop A Countywide Housing Pattern Book To Streamline Permit Approvals And Reduce Regulatory Barriers For Safe, Affordable, And Well-designed Homes. (Senate Housing: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR83 · 2026-04-16
Supporting The Use Of The Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund To Fund Predevelopment Costs For Any Government Affordable Housing Development Project Through Interim Loans To Expedite The Delivery Of Affordable Housing To Hawaii's Residents. (Senate Housing: Passed, Unamended)
HCR154 · 2026-04-16
Requesting The County Of Hawaii To Expand The Hele-on Shared Ride Program To Serve The Entire Island Of Hawaii, Including Rural And Underserved Areas Such As West Hawaii, North Kohala, South Kohala, Ka, And Puna. (Senate Transportation: Passed, Unamended)
HCR43 · 2026-04-16
Urging The Department Of Transportation Services For The City And County Of Honolulu To Install Raised Crosswalks At The University Avenue, Lauiki Street, And Kamoku Street Intersections With Hihiwai Street To Improve Pedestrian Safety Near Ala Wai Elementary School And The Surrounding Community. (Senate Transportation: Passed, Unamended)
HB1618 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Cesspool Conversions. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1718 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Housing. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB1741 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Housing. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1713 · 2026-04-09
Relating To School Impact Fees. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB2592 · 2026-04-09
Relating To The Mauna Kea Stewardship And Oversight Authority. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1888 · 2026-04-09
Relating To The Safety Of Educational Workers. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2547 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Corporate Bonds. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2022 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Motor Vehicle Registration. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB1515 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Workers' Compensation. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB2385 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Housing. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB2033 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Transportation. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1573 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Health. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB649 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Small Boat Harbors. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB2417 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Administrative License Revocation. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB2395 · 2026-04-08
Relating To The Taking Of Marine Deposits. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB1642 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Consumer Protection. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 1058 total roll-call votes this session).
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