STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2800

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2466

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2466 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to specify that the Chief Election Officer who passes the standard state probationary period may only be terminated for cause.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Indivisible Hawaiʻi, and thirty-seven individuals.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Hawaiian Islands Republican Women and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the position of Chief Election Officer is critical to the certification of elections and should be protected from termination due to arbitrary or partisan reasons. In recent years, entities seeking to undermine public trust in the electoral process have spread disinformation among the electorate. Consequently, election workers have been subject to harassment and intimidation. For example, in 2020, two Georgia election workers were falsely accused of election fraud and their lives were threatened, forcing them into hiding. This measure will implement measures to protect election officials who proven to be trustworthy and effective, assuring the public that elections in the State are overseen and protected by competent and ethical officials.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2466 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair