Voters to decide on state amendments

Advertiser News Services

Hawai'i voters will decide the fate of three proposed amendments to the state constitution in the November election.

The proposals were approved by this year's Legislature and sent to Gov. Ben Cayetano. He has filed them with the lieutenant governor's office, clearing the way for the Elections Office to place them on the ballot, the governor's office said yesterday.

One proposed amendment would require state Senate and House candidates to live in the district they wish to represent before filing nomination papers.

They would have to remain in the district from the date of the filing through their terms of office, if elected. The only exception would be in cases of incumbent senators when reapportionment has occurred.

Another proposal would authorize the state to issue special purpose revenue bonds to assist not-for-profit private elementary and secondary schools, colleges and universities.

The third would allow felony prosecutions to be initiated by written information, in addition to the existing processes of grand jury indictments and preliminary court hearings.

An information, which is also called a criminal complaint or petition, is used by prosecutors to charge a defendant with a crime.