Bill > SB1611

This bill requires certain high-level advisory positions appointed by the Governor of Hawaii to obtain Senate advice and consent, specifically the Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System and the Governor's Coordinator on Homelessness. Currently, these positions can be appointed without legislative review, but the bill would change that by mandating that the Senate must approve these appointments. The bill provides a transition period for existing appointees, requiring the Governor to submit nominations for these positions to the Senate president by the forty-first day of the 2026 regular session, and any appointee who does not receive Senate approval will not be able to continue in their role after the session adjourns. The bill also includes a standard severability clause, meaning that if any part of the legislation is found to be invalid, the rest of the bill can still remain in effect. The effective date of the bill is set far in the future, on January 1, 2491, which is likely a typographical error and would typically be much closer to the present day.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1611&year=2026