Shirley Ann Templo

Voted for Senate Bill 1433, which changes Hawaii's needle exchange program. The program may now give out sterile needles and syringes based on need. Before, it could give one for each used one returned. It may also serve people who use drugs without injecting, though not with syringes. Participants cannot be charged with a drug paraphernalia offense for needles, syringes, or approved supplies such as cookers while at a program visit, and program staff cannot be charged for them while doing their jobs. Participants also cannot be charged for drug residue in a used needle or syringe for two months after their last program visit. The protection covers only exchanges between participants and program staff. Police who make an arrest in good faith are not liable. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 36-13, and it became law. Hawaii's journal names only members voting no or excused, so this yes vote is inferred from that list.

April 30, 2025Supports Environment and Public Health

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026

On 2026-03-16, introduced HCR 50, requesting that the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism establish a destination-management task force.

March 16, 2026Supports Government Efficiency

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 9, 2026

On 2025-05-29, helped enact HB 1406 as Act 133, establishing the SPEED Task Force to identify actions and legislation needed to facilitate and coordinate development permitting and appropriating funds for its work.

May 29, 2025Supports Government Efficiency

Source: capitolwebsite.azurewebsites.net · researched September 9, 2026

On 2025-02-24, voted aye in the House Finance Committee on HB 1406, which established a task force and appropriated funds to simplify and coordinate state and intergovernmental development permitting.

February 24, 2025Supports Government Efficiency

Source: capitolwebsite.azurewebsites.net · researched September 9, 2026

On 2026-07-07, helped enact HB 1960 as Act 191, requiring human-trafficking awareness training and prevention policies in the transient-accommodations sector and establishing penalties and rules.

July 7, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 9, 2026

On 2026-04-30, voted aye as a House conferee recommending passage of HB 1960, which established human-trafficking awareness training, reporting, signage, and prevention-policy requirements for the transient-accommodations sector.

April 30, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 9, 2026

Voted for House Bill 1961, which makes it a crime to block someone's way into or out of a health care facility. It is also a crime to tie up a facility's phone lines with repeated calls, or to threaten its patients, staff, or owners. A first offense is a petty misdemeanor with at least 24 hours in jail and a $250 fine. A third offense carries up to 30 days. Patients, staff, and facilities may also sue, and the attorney general may seek a court order. The criminal penalties apply only to adults. It says it does not limit peaceful protest or labor strikes. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 40-10, and it became law. Hawaii's journal names only members voting no or excused, so this yes vote is inferred from that list.

April 23, 2026Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026

Voted for Senate Bill 2239, which registers people to vote automatically when they apply for a Hawaii driver's license or state ID. They can say no. Today applicants must choose to opt in. If a voter is already registered, the act updates the voter's name and address from the application unless the voter declines. The licensing office sends registration information to election officials only if the applicant shows proof of United States citizenship, or the office already has that proof on file. A non-citizen is not offered registration. It takes effect January 1, 2027. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 40-11, and it became law. Hawaii's journal names only members voting no or excused, so this yes vote is inferred from that list.

May 6, 2026Supports Election Integrity

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026

Voted for Senate Bill 2239, which registers people to vote automatically when they apply for a Hawaii driver's license or state ID. They can say no. Today applicants must choose to opt in. If a voter is already registered, the act updates the voter's name and address from the application unless the voter declines. The licensing office sends registration information to election officials only if the applicant shows proof of United States citizenship, or the office already has that proof on file. A non-citizen is not offered registration. It takes effect January 1, 2027. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 40-11, and it became law. Hawaii's journal names only members voting no or excused, so this yes vote is inferred from that list.

May 6, 2026Supports Civil Rights

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026

Voted for Senate Bill 2694, which lets regulated shipping companies raise cargo rates each year without a full rate case. The Public Utilities Commission must create an automatic adjustment tied to the state's wharfage fee increases. The adjustment is capped at 5 percent a year. The commission must apply it from July 2026 through June 2029, and may apply it through June 2033. Every third year the carrier must still file a full rate case. Customers on agricultural rates are exempt. The commission may also waive any requirement of the Water Carrier Act for a carrier. The law expires July 1, 2033. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 35-15, and it became law. Hawaii's journal names only members voting no or excused, so this yes vote is inferred from that list.

May 6, 2026Opposes Corporate Accountability

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026

Voted for Senate Bill 2400, which exempts companies that carry passengers on seagliders from Hawaii's Water Carrier Act. Seagliders are electric craft that fly just above the water between islands. Because of the exemption, the Public Utilities Commission will not regulate their fares, routes, or service. The act says the United States Coast Guard oversees their safety. Seagliders that carry cargo stay regulated. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 40-11, and it became law. Hawaii's journal names only members voting no or excused, so this yes vote is inferred from that list.

May 6, 2026Opposes Corporate Accountability

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026

Voted against Senate Bill 897, which caps what an electric utility must pay for property damage after a catastrophic wildfire that its equipment may have caused or made worse. A wildfire counts as catastrophic if it substantially damages or destroys more than 500 homes or businesses, or more than 50 for an electric cooperative. The Public Utilities Commission sets the cap by rule, and the governor must approve the rule. A utility gets the cap only if it has an approved wildfire prevention plan and is carrying it out. The cap covers property losses only, not injuries or emotional harm. Utilities also stop being liable for other parties' shares of the damage. The act lets utilities sell up to $500 million in bonds for wildfire and storm-proofing work, repaid through a charge on every customer's bill. Utility executives cannot get raises unless the utility's wildfire reports are approved for five straight years. The Hawaii House gave it final approval 39-10, and it became law.

April 30, 2025

Source: capitol.hawaii.gov · researched September 10, 2026