REQUESTING THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR TO EVALUATE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE DECENTRALIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT'S HIRING AND RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONS TO STATE DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE TRAINING OF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICERS OF STATE DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, AND AGENCIES NECESSARY TO EFFECTIVELY CARRY OUT THEIR HIRING AND RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Governor to study whether Hawaii state agencies should manage their own hiring and recruitment instead of relying on the centralized Department of Human Resources Development. The bill addresses concerns that the current system causes long vacancies and staffing shortages, with over 4,000 positions vacant as of late 2025. If implemented, the proposed changes would allow individual departments to write job descriptions, review applicants, conduct interviews, and directly hire qualified candidates. The Governor must complete this evaluation and submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change current law but requests an administrative review of the hiring process.