This bill establishes a fixed sixty-day deadline for the Hawaii Supreme Court to decide whether to accept or reject applications for a writ of certiorari, replacing the current system where deadlines vary based on when parties file responses. The change directly affects the state's highest court by removing the need for staff to constantly adjust case timelines based on individual filing dates. By setting a uniform timeframe, the legislation aims to improve judicial efficiency and allow court resources to focus on reviewing legal issues rather than managing procedural deadlines. Additionally, the bill clarifies the timeline for filing initial applications and responses while maintaining provisions for limited extensions.
This bill serves as a formal notification that the Governor signed HB 2088 into law on April 28, 2026, updating Hawaii's adoption statutes. The key provision requires written, notarized consent from a broader range of individuals before an adoption can proceed, including the birthing parent, legal or adjudicated non-birthing parents, and concerned natural parents who have shown interest in the child's welfare within a specific timeframe. Additionally, the law mandates that any adult being adopted must provide consent, along with their spouse if they are married. These changes directly affect adoption agencies, courts, and families involved in the adoption process by clarifying who must agree to the placement of a child or adult.
This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green, establishes new rules for filling vacancies in the Hawaii Senate to ensure timely elections and temporary appointments. It requires political parties to fill vacancies within three days to allow replacement candidates to appear on the ballot, while mandating that the governor make temporary appointments from a party-provided list if an election cannot be held immediately. Additionally, the law specifies that any temporary appointee must be a resident of the same district as the previous senator and, if the original senator was affiliated with a party, must also be a member of that party for at least six months prior to appointment.
This bill, signed into law by the Governor of Hawaii on April 28, 2026, modifies state statutes regarding domestic abuse orders for protection. It allows courts to keep petition records confidential from the public upon request by the accused or the person being restrained, provided that law enforcement officers can still access these records without needing a separate court order. The changes apply to both temporary restraining orders and extended protective orders when they are denied by a judge. This legislation aims to balance privacy concerns with the need for law enforcement to have access to relevant case information.
This bill formally records the Governor's decision to withdraw a nomination for Nicholas Belluzzo to serve on the Hawai'i Historic Places Review Board. The action is taken at Belluzzo's request and removes him from further consideration by the Senate for a position that would have lasted until June 30, 2029. The document serves as an official notification to the state legislature regarding this change in the appointment process.
This bill formally notifies the Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn Paul Horner's nomination for the Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority. The action removes Horner from further consideration for the position, which was set to expire on June 30, 2029. As a procedural measure, the bill does not alter the authority's structure or create new policies but simply documents the Governor's decision to end the nomination process.
This bill provides emergency funding to cover unpaid arbitration awards and settlement costs related to temporary hazard pay for public employees in specific collective bargaining units. The legislation authorizes the state to use general funds to pay these obligations while simultaneously creating a short-term loan mechanism to restore budget accounts that were previously depleted by these payments. By reclassifying and then reversing these financial entries, the bill ensures that departments can repay the loan without permanently reducing their operating budgets. The measure is designed to resolve immediate financial shortfalls caused by pandemic-era pay disputes while maintaining the executive branch's authority to negotiate labor agreements.
This bill establishes April 27 of each year as "Brother Joseph Dutton Day" to honor the life and service of Ira Barnes Dutton, who became Brother Joseph and cared for residents with leprosy at Kalaupapa. The legislation designates this date as a day of recognition rather than a state holiday, adding a new section to the Hawaii Revised Statutes to formalize the observance. The bill reflects the legislature's intent to acknowledge Dutton's decades of dedication, similar to existing commemorations for other historical figures associated with the settlement.
This bill serves as a formal notification that Governor Josh Green is withdrawing four gubernatorial nominees from the Council on Revenues from the Senate's consideration process. The individuals affected are Kurt Kawafuchi, Kristi Maynard, Scott Hayashi, and Marjorie Bennett, whose appointments were originally intended to take effect on April 23, 2026. Although the text notes these appointments do not require Senate confirmation, the Governor is officially removing them from the legislative record. This action impacts the finalization of these specific administrative roles within the state's revenue council.
This bill serves as a formal notification from Governor Josh Green to the Hawaii Senate that he is withdrawing his nomination of Nancy Carr Smith for the Land Use Commission. The action directly affects the Senate's consideration process, effectively removing the nominee from the pool of candidates for the position. By citing the state constitution, the bill documents the governor's decision to cancel the appointment before the Senate could vote on confirming her. This procedural measure ensures the official record reflects that the nominee is no longer under active review for the term ending in June 2029.
This bill serves as a formal notification to the Hawaii Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn the nomination of Kirsha Durante for a seat on the Defender Council. The action is taken because Durante has accepted a recent judicial appointment, which requires the Governor to remove her from consideration under the state constitution. Consequently, the Senate will no longer be required to vote on or confirm Durante for this specific position, which was set to expire on June 30, 2029.
This message from the Governor informs the Senate that five individuals nominated for the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Council are being withdrawn from the confirmation process. The notice lists Geoffrey Hicks, Andrew Sabanal, Richard Collins, Sarah Antone, and Shawn Kanaʻiaupuni as the nominees being removed. The Governor states that Senate confirmation is not required for these specific appointments, effectively ending the consideration of these candidates. This action is based on the Governor's authority under the state constitution to manage gubernatorial nominations.
