Nonpartisan · Data from OpenStates / Plural Policy · Hawaii
Votes with Democrats
100%
on 76 party-line votes · Senate Democrats median 100%
Cast a vote
88%
Yea or Nay on 864 of 986 roll calls · Senate median 89%
Their bills that became law
75 of 519
as a primary sponsor, this session · Democrats median 31.5
Roll calls on record
986
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 Tim Richards 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 Tim Richards 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. Tim Richards is circled.
Always on the Republican sideAlways on the Democratic side
Times they broke with their party
0 of 76 party-line votes.
They voted with most Democrats on every party-line vote this session.
Closest votes they cast
Roll calls decided by the fewest votes, one per bill.
SCR133 · Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources, In Consultation With The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity, To Adopt Rules To Prohibit Commercial Octopus Aquaculture.
Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended · 2026-04-08 · Failed 2–3
SR125 · Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources, In Consultation With The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity, To Adopt Rules To Prohibit Commercial Octopus Aquaculture.
Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended · 2026-04-08 · Failed 2–3
SCR71 · Urging This Body To Introduce And Pass Legislation To Establish Strict Liability For Individuals Who Keep, Harbor, Or Feed Certain Animals In A Manner That Results In Damage To Property.
Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended · 2026-03-27 · Passed 2–1
SR66 · Urging This Body To Introduce And Pass Legislation To Establish Strict Liability For Individuals Who Keep, Harbor, Or Feed Certain Animals In A Manner That Results In Damage To Property.
Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended · 2026-03-27 · Passed 2–1
HB1880 · Relating To Pesticides.
Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, With Amendments · 2026-03-25 · Failed 2–3
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 · 54 shared contested votes
7%
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 (122 in all). Gaps are months the chamber wasn’t voting.
← Hawaii Delegation
YeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentAbsentYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYeaYea
Their bills, from filing to law
Bills Tim Richards 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.
Introduced519
Out of committee263
Passed one chamber165
Passed both chambers77
Became law75
Never left committee256
For comparison, the median Democratic member of the Senate has 31.5 bills that became law this session.
What their bills are about
Appropriation ($) 91Reports 47Report 47Appropriations ($) 45DOE 36DLNR 31
Relating To Housing.
In plain English Exempts housing agencies' employees from certain state approval requirements and adjusts executive compensation and employment contract rules for those agencies.
Official synopsis: Exempts Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation employees from the requirement that their employment actions and job descriptions be subject to approval by the Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism. Requires the Executive Director of HHFDC to be paid a salary recommended by its…
Became lawAct 263, on 07/15/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1366). · 2026-07-15
Relating To Property Insurance.
In plain English Requires homeowners insurance producers to notify policyholders they can submit information about property improvements, and requires insurers to reevaluate replacement costs and offer additional coverage based on that information.
Official synopsis: Requires homeowners insurance producers to notify policyholders that they may submit information regarding improvements made to the insured residential property, which shall then be submitted to the homeowners insurer. Requires homeowners insurers to reevaluate the replacement cost estimate based on the information submitted by a…
Became lawAct 256, on 07/14/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1358). · 2026-07-14
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 Education.
In plain English Requires the Department of Education to establish a two-year pilot program for student-authored book publication at up to ten elementary schools in Kalihi and Nanakuli-Waianae.
Official synopsis: Requires the Department of Education to establish a two-year Student-Authored Book Publication Pilot Program. Authorizes the Pilot Program to be conducted for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at up to five Kalihi public elementary schools and up to five Nanakuli-Waianae public elementary schools to be…
Became lawAct 244, on 07/13/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1346). · 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 Food And Product Innovation Network.
In plain English Requires the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a food safety framework and the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish performance measures and market strategies.
Official synopsis: Requires the Food and Product Innovation Network to integrate a coordinated food safety and regulatory framework. Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation to establish key performance indicators for the Food and Product Innovation Network, develop a market access strategy, align and harmonize state branding initiatives, and…
Became lawAct 187, on 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1289). · 2026-07-07
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 Disposable Electronic Smoking Devices.
In plain English Bans the sale and distribution of disposable electronic smoking devices in Hawaii starting January 1, 2027.
Official synopsis: Beginning 1/1/2027, prohibits the sale, offer for sale, or distribution for sale of any disposable electronic smoking devices in the State. Establishes penalties. (CD1)
Became lawAct 189, on 07/07/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1291). · 2026-07-07
Relating To State Enterprise Zones.
In plain English Expands the Enterprise Zone Program to include more business types, allows designation of two additional zones on state land, extends tax credits and exemptions for qualified businesses, and requires a program review.
Official synopsis: Amends the definition of "eligible business activity" for the purposes of the Enterprise Zone Program to include certain retail sales of tangible personal property; processing of certain value-added agricultural products; research development, sale, or production of all types of medical products and medical and health…
Became lawAct 182, on 07/06/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1284). · 2026-07-07
Relating To The Agribusiness Development Corporation.
In plain English Allows the Agribusiness Development Corporation to use condemnation to acquire real property, except in certain counties and on public lands.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the Agribusiness Development Corporation to acquire by condemnation any real property or interest in real property, except real property owned in a county with a population of more than 125,000 but less than 195,000 and public lands, under certain conditions. (CD2)
Became lawAct 168, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1270). · 2026-06-26
Relating To Agriculture.
In plain English Requires the Department of Agriculture to convene a working group to develop definitions for "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity" and report to the Legislature.
Official synopsis: Requires the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to convene a Bona Fide Farmer Working Group to develop multi-tiered, matrix-based definitions for the terms "bona fide farmer" and "bona fide agricultural activity". Requires a report to the Legislature. (CD1)
Became lawAct 167, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1269). · 2026-06-26
Relating To Aquaculture.
In plain English Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to create rules for importing and transporting aquatic livestock, and requires development of a risk-based framework and biocontainment standards.
Official synopsis: Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an evaluation and authorization process to import and transport aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based…
Became lawAct 165, on 06/26/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1267). · 2026-06-26
Relating To Public School Land Transfer.
In plain English Revises property transfers to the Department of Education, directs conveyance of certain lands to Kauai County and Kaimuki Middle School land to the Department, and clarifies school land disposal approval requirements.
Official synopsis: Revises tax map key numbers and the conveyance process by which identified properties are conveyed to the Department of Education pursuant to Act 307, SLH 2022. Directs the conveyance to the County of Kauai of certain lands held by the Department of Education. Directs the…
Became lawAct 139, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1240). · 2026-06-24
Relating To Law Enforcement.
In plain English Prohibits law enforcement agencies from entering agreements that allow them to enforce immigration laws, with limited exceptions.
Official synopsis: Prohibits any law enforcement agency or law enforcement official from entering into an agreement under federal law that permits state or county agencies to engage in immigration enforcement. Prohibits law enforcement agencies and law enforcement officials from engaging in certain immigration-related actions, except under limited…
Became lawAct 141, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1242). · 2026-06-24
Relating To State Facilities.
In plain English Exempts Stadium Authority concessions from state concession rules, allows naming rights leasing, and directs advertising revenues to a stadium development fund.
Official synopsis: Exempts concessions within the Stadium Facility that are under the jurisdiction of the Stadium Authority from chapter 102, HRS, governing concession on public property. Allows the naming rights of the Stadium Facility to be leased to any public or private entity. Requires any revenues derived…
Became lawAct 125, on 06/24/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1226). · 2026-06-24
“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…
HB1707 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Agriculture. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2101 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Organic Waste. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB177 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Aquaculture. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB3253 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Conservation. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2207 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Invasive Species. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB903 · 2026-05-01
Relating To Hawaiian Affairs. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2104 · 2026-04-30
Relating To Island Burial Councils. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1800 · 2026-04-30
Relating To The State Budget. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB874 · 2026-04-29
Relating To Veterinary Medicine. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2152 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Dog Attacks. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
SB2153 · 2026-04-28
Relating To Agriculture. (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)
HB2309 · 2026-04-28
Relating To The Hawaiian Homes Commission Act, 1920. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2246 · 2026-04-27
Relating To Agricultural Grant Administration. (Senate Conference: Passed, With Amendments)
HB2475 · 2026-04-27
Relating To Labeling Requirements. (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)
HCR200 · 2026-04-21
Urging The United States Department Of Defense To Reassess Prior Determinations And Closure Decisions Under The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, And Liability Act In Light Of Evolving Scientific Understanding Of Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substances And Recent Federal Hazardous Substance Designations. (Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR154 · 2026-04-21
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 Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR43 · 2026-04-21
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 Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR165 · 2026-04-21
Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu Department Of Parks And Recreation To Install Permanent Pickleball Nets And Court Lighting At The Tennis Courts At Kamiloiki Community Park. (Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR202 · 2026-04-21
Establishing The Legislative Task Force On Hawaii's Future Energy Pathways To Examine Strategies To Maximize Cost Savings While Minimizing Risk To Ratepayers Over The Next Three Decades And Achieving The State's Energy Goals And Producing Affordable, Reliable, Resilient, And Decarbonized Energy. (Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR186 · 2026-04-21
Urging The United States Department Of Defense And Defense Health Agency To Extend The Renewal Period For Secretarial Designee Health Care Authorizations Related To The Red Hill Water Contamination Crisis And To Improve Health Care Access For Affected Individuals. (Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR206 · 2026-04-21
Requesting The Hawaii State Energy Office To Convene A Working Group To Study The Potential Impacts Of Large Data Centers On Hawaii's Electric Utilities, Ratepayers, Natural Resources, And Climate Goals. (Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR122 · 2026-04-20
Requesting The University Of Hawaii To Consider Offering Olelo Hawaii Micro-credentials Focusing On Olelo Niihau. (Senate Hawaiian Affairs: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR33 · 2026-04-17
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 Agriculture and Environment: Passed, With Amendments)
HCR180 · 2026-04-17
Urging The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity To Explore And Pursue Opportunities To Colocate Community-based Renewable Energy Generating Projects With Agricultural Reservoirs And Irrigation Water Infrastructure. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
HCR101 · 2026-04-17
Nominating John D. Waihee Iii For Induction Into The Aloha Order Of Merit. (Senate Hawaiian Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR166 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Department Of Land And Natural Resources To Identify State Lands In East Oahu Suitable For The Planting Of Native Hawaiian Trees. (Senate Hawaiian Affairs: Passed, Unamended)
HCR31 · 2026-04-17
Recognizing 2026 As The International Year Of Rangelands And Pastoralists In Hawaii. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
HCR117 · 2026-04-17
Urging The Governor To Assess Food Insecurity Conditions And Implement A Statewide Food Security Response Plan. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
HCR103 · 2026-04-17
Affirming Support For The Expansion Of Programs And Projects That Increase Tree Canopy Coverage And Install Shade Trees In Urban Areas To Mitigate The Effects Of Urban Heat Islands Across The State. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
HCR144 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Department Of Agriculture And Biosecurity To Collaborate With State And County Agencies And Community-based Organizations To Develop A Comprehensive Statewide Food Security Strategy. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
HCR206 · 2026-04-17
Requesting The Hawaii State Energy Office To Convene A Working Group To Study The Potential Impacts Of Large Data Centers On Hawaii's Electric Utilities, Ratepayers, Natural Resources, And Climate Goals. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: 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 Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1618 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Cesspool Conversions. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1618 · 2026-04-09
Relating To Cesspool Conversions. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: 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)
HB1518 · 2026-04-08
Relating To The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB1800 · 2026-04-08
Relating To The State Budget. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
HB1974 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Health. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB2429 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Tax Expenditure Evaluation. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, With Amendments)
SCR168 · 2026-04-08
Requesting The Office Of Planning And Sustainable Development To Convene A Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
HB1769 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Correctional Facilities. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
HB1509 · 2026-04-08
Relating To Workers' Compensation. (Senate Ways and Means: Passed, Unamended)
SR159 · 2026-04-08
Requesting The Office Of Planning And Sustainable Development To Convene A Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group. (Senate Agriculture and Environment: Passed, Unamended)
SCR162 · 2026-04-08
Requesting The Department Of Education To Convene A Shared Decision Making Committee To Develop An Action Plan To Establish A K-12 Kaiapuni School In Kapolei. (Senate Hawaiian Affairs: Passed, With Amendments)
Complete voting record from LegiScan (showing the 60 most recent of 986 total roll-call votes this session).
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