Bill > HB23

This bill changes the position of Insurance Commissioner in Hawaii from an appointed to an elected role, with the first election to be held in 2026. Currently, the Insurance Commissioner is appointed by the director of commerce and consumer affairs with the governor's approval, but under this bill, the commissioner will be directly elected by voters for a four-year term. The bill provides detailed rules for filling vacancies in the position, which depend on when the vacancy occurs in relation to upcoming elections. If a vacancy happens before a primary or general election, the governor can make a temporary appointment, typically selecting a candidate from the same political party as the previous commissioner. The temporary appointee must be a resident of the state and a member of the same political party as the previous commissioner for at least six months. If no vacancy-filling election can be held, the governor will appoint someone to complete the term, again following specific party affiliation and residency requirements. This change aims to make the Insurance Commissioner more directly accountable to voters by making the position an elected office rather than an appointed one.

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https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=23&year=2026