STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1590-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2143

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2143, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish an order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer Plus Commission; Pride at Work Hawaiʻi; HOKU PAC; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; Hawaii State AFL-CIO; Indivisible Hawaiʻi; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that the absence of a clearly designated interim Chief Election Officer during a vacancy may impede the timely and lawful administration of elections. Your Committee further finds that assigning interim authority ensures continuity of operations while preserving the Elections Commission’s appointment authority.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2143, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2143, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair