Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Hawaii
Democratic
· Senator
Joy San Buenaventura
Represents District 2 in the State Senate.
Votes with Democrats
91%
on 105 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 100%
Cast a vote
93%
Yea or Nay on 815 of 877 roll calls · Senate median 89%
Their bills that became law
60 of 523
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 31.5
Roll calls on record
877
2026 Regular Session
Votes and bills updated Oct 4, 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 Joy San Buenaventura 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 Joy San Buenaventura 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. Joy San Buenaventura is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
9 of 105 party-line votes.
HB1990 · Relating To Residential Real Property.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-04-08 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB2023 · Relating To Transportation.
In plain English Requires the Department of Transportation to certify intelligent speed assistance systems and limits liability for manufacturers, among other changes.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-04-08 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB2697 · Relating To Transportation.
In plain English Prohibits driving on road shoulders except in certain circumstances, increases fines for unregistered out-of-state vehicles, and sets penalties for high occupancy vehicle lane violations.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · 2026-03-03 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB2380 · Proposing Amendments To The Hawaii State Constitution To Establish A Continuous Legislative Session.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · 2026-02-03 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB2315 · Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-02-03 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
HB697 · Relating To Transportation.
In plain English Allows Department of Law Enforcement employees to review automated speed enforcement recordings and funds a statewide speed enforcement program.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · 2025-04-01 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB95 · Relating To Vehicle Safety.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-02-21 · Failed 2–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB117 · Relating To Defamation.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-01-28 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
SB124 · Proposing Amendments To Article Iv, Sections 4 And 6, Of The Hawaii State Constitution Regarding Reapportionment.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-01-28 · Passed 3–2 · most Democrats voted the other way
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SB95 · Relating To Vehicle Safety.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2025-02-21 · Failed 2–2
HB2023 · Relating To Transportation.
In plain English Requires the Department of Transportation to certify intelligent speed assistance systems and limits liability for manufacturers, among other changes.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-04-08 · Passed 3–2
HB1990 · Relating To Residential Real Property.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-04-08 · Passed 3–2
SB2697 · Relating To Transportation.
In plain English Prohibits driving on road shoulders except in certain circumstances, increases fines for unregistered out-of-state vehicles, and sets penalties for high occupancy vehicle lane violations.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended · 2026-03-03 · Passed 3–2
SB2315 · Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii State Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.
Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-02-03 · 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.
Brenton AwaRepublican · District 23 · 95 shared contested votes
12%
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 (62 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Hawaii Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Joy San Buenaventura 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.
Introduced523
Out of committee281
Passed one chamber180
Passed both chambers63
Became law60
Never left committee242
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 31.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Appropriation ($) 77Report 47Appropriations ($) 43DOH 38Reports 32DOE 28
Relating To Psychologists.
In plain English Establishes a three-year pilot program allowing qualified psychologists in Kauai and Hawaii counties to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients aged 18-65 under physician or psychiatrist supervision.
Official synopsis: Establishes a three-year pilot program in the County of Kauai and County of Hawaii to allow qualified psychologists under the supervision of a supervising physician or psychiatrist limited authority to prescribe certain psychotropic medications to patients between the ages of 18 and 65 years under…
Became lawBecame law without the Governor's signature, Act 266, 07/16/2026, (Gov. Msg. No. 1370). · 2026-07-16
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 Artificial Intelligence.
In plain English Requires AI companion operators to disclose information to users, develop safety protocols for self-harm concerns, and submit annual reports to health officials starting 2028.
Official synopsis: Requires operators of AI companions in the State to issue certain disclosures to users. Requires operators to develop certain protocols to respond to user prompts regarding suicidal ideation or self-harm. Establishes protections for users and minor users of AI companions. Beginning 1/1/2028, requires operators to…
Became lawAct 248, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1350). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Civil Rights.
In plain English Requires the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to adopt digital accessibility rules for public businesses and makes it illegal for them to deny disabled people access through inaccessible technology.
Official synopsis: Requires the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to adopt rules on digital accessibility for places of public accommodation that are consistent with certain federal regulations. Specifies that a violation of the rules is an unlawful discriminatory practice. Establishes that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice for…
Became lawAct 257, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1359). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Education.
In plain English Allows the Department of Education to award high school diplomas to people whose education was interrupted by military service or wartime practices during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the Department of Education to award a high school diploma to qualified persons who did not receive a high school diploma as a result of compulsory or voluntary induction into the armed services of the United States or whose high school education was interrupted…
Became lawAct 240, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1342). · 2026-07-14
Relating To The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism.
In plain English Establishes a Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism and appropriates funds for it.
Official synopsis: Establishes the Hawaii Dementia Initiative Business Recognition Program within the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Appropriates funds. (CD1)
Became lawAct 251, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1353). · 2026-07-14
Relating To Consumer Protection.
In plain English Requires businesses to clearly disclose total prices for live-event tickets and short-term lodging and prohibits misrepresenting fees in advertisements.
Official synopsis: Makes it an unfair or deceptive act or practice for businesses to: advertise, display, or offer the price of live-ticket events or short-term lodging without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; and misrepresent any fees or charges in any offer, display, or advertisement for…
Became lawAct 254, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1356). · 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 Hospital Licensing.
Requires the Department of Health to adopt rules to allow hospitals to demonstrate compliance with all licensing inspections required by the State through accreditation or certification by any accreditation or certification organization approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (CD1)
Became lawAct 221, on 07/09/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1323). · 2026-07-10
Relating To The Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund.
In plain English Extends a housing equity pilot program to 2031 and limits it to transit-oriented developments, authorizing up to $20 million in spending.
Official synopsis: Extends the sunset date of the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund Equity Pilot Program pursuant to Act 92, SLH 2023, from June 30, 2028, to June 30, 2031. Requires any equity purchased by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation under the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund…
Became lawAct 213, on 07/08/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1315). · 2026-07-09
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 The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
In plain English Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust minimum certification periods for food assistance benefits, participate in a simplified application program for elderly people, and report to the Legislature.
Official synopsis: Requires the Department of Human Services to adjust the minimum certification periods for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits households, participate in the Elderly Simplified Application Project, and report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/2028. (CD1)
Became lawAct 193, on 07/07/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1295). · 2026-07-07
Relating To Family Resilience Pilot Program.
In plain English Establishes a two-year Family Resilience Pilot Program in the Office of Wellness and Resilience, funded through existing assistance programs and ending June 30, 2028.
Official synopsis: Establishes a two-year Family Resilience Pilot Program within the Office of Wellness and Resilience. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funds to be expended by the Department of Human Services for the pilot program. Sunsets 6/30/2028. (CD1)
Became lawAct 201, on 07/07/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1303). · 2026-07-07
Relating To The Office Of Wellness And Resilience.
In plain English Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a plan by June 2027 for a pilot program supporting families and children in need.
Official synopsis: Requires the Office of Wellness and Resilience, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, to develop a comprehensive plan by 6/30/2027 for the establishment of a Kakou Pilot Program to support families and children in need. Requires the Office to submit preliminary and final…
Became lawAct 200, on 07/07/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1302). · 2026-07-07
Relating To The Motion Picture, Digital Media, And Film Production Income Tax Credit.
In plain English Expands the film production tax credit by increasing caps, requiring local hiring bonuses and third-party verification, and extending the program through 2038.
Official synopsis: Amends the Motion Picture, Digital Media, and Film Production Income Tax Credit (tax credit) by, beginning for costs incurred after 12/31/2025, providing an additional credit to qualified productions with a workforce of at least eighty percent local hires; requiring each taxpayer claiming the tax credit…
Became lawAct 185, on 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1287). · 2026-07-07
“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…
SB3204 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Family Resilience Pilot Program. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2861 · 2026-05-01
Relating To The Office Of Wellness And Resilience. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2310 · 2026-05-01
Making An Emergency Appropriation To The Department Of Human Services. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2866 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Kupuna Housing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3132 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Syndromic Surveillance. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1801 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Child Welfare Services. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1854 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Community Behavioral Health Clinics. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2271 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Hospital Licensing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2272 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Home Health Licensing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1853 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Dementia. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3137 · 2026-05-01
Relating To The Department Of Health's Authority To Regulate Food, Drugs, And Cosmetics. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1541 · 2026-05-01
Relating To The Department Of Health. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3324 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Medicaid. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1969 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Colorectal Cancer. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1804 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Long-term Care Financing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB1432 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Changes To Responsibilities Of The Department Of Health Concerning Patients, The County Of Kalawao, And The Kalaupapa Settlement. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3302 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Homemade Food Products. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2268 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Equity. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3138 · 2026-04-30
Relating To Independent Audits Of Deposit Beverage Distributors. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2340 · 2026-04-30
Relating To Community Care Foster Family Homes. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2505 · 2026-04-30
Relating To Assisted Community Treatment. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1334 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Meat Donation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1728 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Rainwater Catchment Systems. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1864 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Insurance. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2576 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Background Checks. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB847 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Psychologists. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1518 · 2026-04-29
Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1548 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Sentencing. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2175 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Disposable Electronic Smoking Devices. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1550 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Health. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2852 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Civil Rights. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2319 · 2026-04-29
Relating To The State Health Planning And Development Agency. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1959 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Domestic Violence. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2108 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Jurisdiction. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3136 · 2026-04-27
Relating To Lead Materials In Water Infrastructure. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR32 · 2026-04-24
Requesting The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Formulate A Plan To Create Places Of Shelter For Persons Under Civil Commitment And For Persons Who Have Been Recently Released From The Hawaii State Hospital And Are At Risk Of Recidivism. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HB1752 · 2026-04-23
Relating To Emergency Medical Services. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1516 · 2026-04-23
Relating To Pretrial Release. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR193 · 2026-04-21
Requesting The Establishment Of A Court Security And Department Of Law Enforcement Capacity Working Group To Address Systemic Staffing Shortages, Expanded Statutory Responsibilities, And The Escalating Fiscal And Accountability Risks Associated With Private Security Contracting At State Courts. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HCR33 · 2026-04-21
Encouraging Hawaii County, In Collaboration With The Puak Community, Department Of Health, University Of Hawaii At Hilo, And Other Stakeholders, To Complete The Puak Sewage Project. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR35 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Auditor To Assess The Social And Financial Effects Of Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage For Biomarker Testing. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, Unamended)
HCR32 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Governor's Senior Advisor For Mental Health And The Justice System To Formulate A Plan To Create Places Of Shelter For Persons Under Civil Commitment And For Persons Who Have Been Recently Released From The Hawaii State Hospital And Are At Risk Of Recidivism. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR173 · 2026-04-17
Urging Maui Health System To Collaborate With Stakeholders To Establish A Full-time Medical Residency Program On The Island Of Maui. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR105 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Center For Nursing To Compile A Comprehensive List Of Recommended Safe Patient Staffing Strategies And Ratios For All Nursing Specialties And Subspecialties Across All Health Care Settings, And To Maintain A Repository For This Information. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR18 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Department Of Health To Convene A Hospice Working Group To Examine Trends And Regulations In The Hospice Industry. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1618 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Cesspool Conversions. (Senate Health and Human Services: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2576 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Background Checks. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1897 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Condominium Alternative Dispute Resolution. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HB1710 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Historic Preservation. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1737 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Farm Employee Housing. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2592 · 2026-04-09
Relating To The Mauna Kea Stewardship And Oversight Authority. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1888 · 2026-04-09
Relating To The Safety Of Educational Workers. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1823 · 2026-04-09
Relating To The Coastal Zone Management Act. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2033 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Transportation. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1696 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Commercial Driver's Licenses. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2417 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Administrative License Revocation. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HB2395 · 2026-04-08
Relating To The Taking Of Marine Deposits. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HB1642 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Consumer Protection. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HB1518 · 2026-04-08
Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
HB1509 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Workers' Compensation. (Senate Judiciary: Passed, Unamended)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 877 total roll-call votes this session).
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