Hawaii Bills

This bill serves as a formal notification from the Governor to the Senate that Lisa Paulson has been removed from consideration for the Advisory Board of Directors of the Hawai'i Tourism Authority. The withdrawal is based on Paulson's own request and applies to her potential appointment, which would have served until June 30, 2027. This action does not create new laws or policies but rather fulfills a constitutional requirement to inform the legislative body of a change in a gubernatorial nomination. The measure is procedural and directly affects only the status of the specific nominee within the appointment process.

This document is a formal message from Governor Josh Green to the Hawaii Senate regarding the withdrawal of a gubernatorial appointment. It announces that Kristi Miyamae is being removed from consideration for a seat on the Hawaii Teacher Standards Board. The Governor states that this decision was made at the nominee's request and ends her candidacy for the position.

This bill serves as a procedural notification informing the Hawaii Legislature that the Governor signed SB3225 into law on April 13, 2026. The underlying act, known as ACT 003, is a statutory revision designed to correct errors, clarify language, and remove obsolete provisions from various sections of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. It does not create new policies or programs but rather updates existing legal text to ensure accuracy and consistency across state laws. Consequently, the bill directly affects the state's legal code without introducing new mandates or changing current operational procedures.

This message from the Governor to the Senate formally withdraws Juan Vigil's nomination for a seat on the Hawai'i Advisory Council on Emergency Management. The action cancels the consideration of Vigil's appointment, which was set to expire on June 30, 2030, under the authority of the state constitution. This procedural step removes Vigil from the list of candidates the Senate would have needed to confirm for the advisory council.

This bill informs the House of Representatives that Governor Josh Green has appointed Michael "Cov" Ratcliffe to fill the vacant seat for the 28th House District. The appointment, effective immediately, is made to replace Representative Daniel Holt, who resigned to take a position within the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Ratcliffe will serve until the term expires in November 2026, covering the districts of Sand Island, Iwilei, and Chinatown. The legislation is a procedural notification required by state law to formalize the governor's appointment of a new representative.

This bill provides emergency funding to pay for a legal arbitration award related to the Hawai'i Firefighters Association. It directs state general and special funds to cover specific salary increases, fringe benefits, and health insurance costs for firefighters in Collective Bargaining Unit 11 over the next two fiscal years. The legislation also allocates money to ensure that state officers and employees excluded from the union but on similar pay scales receive matching adjustments. Ultimately, the bill authorizes the release of approximately $3.6 million in current funds and outlines estimated costs for future years to settle the dispute.

This bill serves as a formal notification from the Governor to the Senate regarding the withdrawal of a specific gubernatorial appointment. It directly affects the Senate's consideration process for Natashya Nihipali, who was nominated to serve on the Hawai'i Teacher Standards Board. The key provision is the official removal of Nihipali from the list of candidates under review, citing Article V, Section 6 of the state constitution as the legal basis for this action. Consequently, the Senate will no longer proceed with confirming or rejecting this particular nominee for the board position.

This bill serves as a formal notification to the Hawaii Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn Shane Doughty's nomination for the Correctional Industries Advisory Committee. The action removes Doughty from consideration for the position, which was originally scheduled to expire on June 30, 2028. By submitting this message, the Governor adheres to state constitutional requirements for handling gubernatorial appointments. The legislation does not alter any laws or policies but simply updates the status of a specific candidate's nomination process.

This bill serves as a formal notification from the Governor to the Senate regarding the withdrawal of Kama Hopkins from consideration for the Hawai'i Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission. The action stems from a request by the Governor and is based on provisions in the State Constitution that allow for such withdrawals. Consequently, Kama Hopkins will no longer be part of the Senate's review process for this specific appointment, which is set to expire on June 30, 2030.

This bill formally notifies the Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn his nomination of Ku'uleialoha Santos for the Land Use Commission. The action responds to a previous request and removes Santos from consideration for the position, which was set to expire on June 30, 2030. By submitting this message, the Governor adheres to the state constitution's requirements for handling gubernatorial appointments. The measure does not alter the commission's operations but simply updates the Senate's records regarding the vacancy.

This bill formally notifies the Senate that Governor Josh Green has withdrawn the nomination of Roger Babcock, Jr. from the position of Board of Certification of Operating Personnel in Wastewater Treatment Plants. The action follows a request made by the Governor and is based on provisions in the Hawaii State Constitution regarding gubernatorial appointments. As a result, Babcock will no longer be considered for this specific appointment, which would have been valid until June 30, 2029. The document serves as an official administrative record of the withdrawal rather than establishing new policy.

This bill clarifies that private scholarships and educational awards are considered conditional gifts rather than contractual obligations, unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing. It directly affects private pre-K through K-12 schools, students, donors, and families receiving educational support in Hawaii. The law allows schools to set eligibility criteria like academic performance and conduct standards without creating legal liability for terminating awards if conditions aren't met. This change aims to encourage charitable giving by removing uncertainty about legal claims while maintaining flexibility for donors and institutions to specify requirements.