STAND.
COM. REP. NO. 2038-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: S.B. No. 2466
H.D. 2
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. 2466, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii; 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 stability and independence of election administration are essential to maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Your Committee further finds that the absence of clear statutory protections against arbitrary dismissal of the Chief Election Officer may undermine continuity and impartiality in election operations. This measure addresses these concerns by establishing a for-cause termination standard to strengthen institutional stability and consistent statewide election administration.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Repealing language that specified that the Chief Election Officer is an at-will employee; and
(2) Making a technical, nonsubstantive amendment for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.
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. 2466, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2466, H.D. 2.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,
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____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair |
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