Hawai‘i County Council Members are the heart of our County's Legislative Branch. This branch has the sole authority to propose and enact laws that shapes our community. There are two key types of legislation the County Council considers: Bills and Resolutions.

• BILLS are proposed laws that, if passed, become binding ordinances. These ordinances are added to our Hawai‘i County Code and have the force of law. Bills can also serve various purposes including:

  • Appropriating Funds: The annual approval of the County's operating budget and capital improvement projects falls under this category.

  • Granting Entitlements: This includes establishing conditions for rezoning property.

• RESOLUTIONS are formal statements that express the Council’s sentiment or position on an issue. They can urge action on a particular matter, but are not usually legally binding. Examples include advocating for prioritizing wildfire mitigation or reopening the Pohoiki Boat Ramp. However, some resolutions do have legal weight. These are typically used to authorize specific actions including:

  • Approving a 201-H affordable housing project

  • Authorizing the Mayor to collaborate with another government entity or institution