HB 1595: State Librarian; Salary Cap
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: House
- Latest Version Date: 2026-02-19
Current Status:
Failed
(2026-03-10: Referred to EDU, WAM.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Repeals the salary cap for the state librarian. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Repeals the salary cap for the state librarian.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1595 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE STATE LIBRARIAN.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current salary cap for the state librarian significantly impedes the ability of the board of education to recruit and retain qualified individuals to oversee Hawaii's statewide public library system, which spans all islands and serves as a critical educational and community resource. The legislature further finds that comparable executive-level positions within the State, including other leadership positions filled by appointment by the board of education and executives within the university of Hawaii system, are not subject to similar statutory salary caps. By removing the current statutory salary cap, the board of education will be able to set compensation based on market conditions, responsibilities, and performance standards, which will strengthen the administration and modernization of the State's public library system by attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to remove the current statutory cap on the salary for the state librarian.
SECTION 2. Section 312-2.1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The salary of the state librarian shall be
set by the board of education [at a rate no greater than $175,000 a year]."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
State Librarian; Salary Cap
Description:
Repeals the salary cap for the state librarian. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
1595 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the state librarian.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current salary cap for the state librarian significantly impedes the ability of the department of education to recruit and retain qualified individuals to oversee Hawaii's statewide public library system, which spans all islands and serves as a critical educational and community resource. The legislature further finds that comparable executive-level positions within the State, including other leadership positions filled by appointment by the board of education and executives within the university of Hawaii system, are not subject to similar statutory salary caps. By removing the current statutory salary cap, the board of education will be able to set compensation based on market conditions, responsibilities, and performance standards, which will strengthen the administration and modernization of the State's public library system by attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to remove the current statutory cap on the salary for the state librarian.
SECTION 2. Section 312-2.1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
"(b) The salary of the state librarian shall be
set by the board of education [at a rate no greater than $175,000 a year]."
SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
State Librarian; Salary Cap
Description:
Repeals the salary cap for the state librarian.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to EDU, WAM. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 139). |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (3) and Representative(s) Perruso, Sayama excused (2). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 944-26), recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 16 Ayes: Representative(s) Todd, Takenouchi, Hartsfield, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Perruso, Templo, Yamashita, Alcos, Gedeon, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 27, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Garcia, Pierick voting no (2) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). |
| Feb 20, 2026 | Reported from EDN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 692-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN. |
| Feb 19, 2026 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, La Chica, Amato, Evslin, Garrett, Kapela, Kila, Olds, Muraoka, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none. |
| Feb 17, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by EDN on Thursday, 02-19-26 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Jan 26, 2026 | Referred to EDN, FIN, referral sheet 1 |
| Jan 21, 2026 | Introduced and Pass First Reading. |
| Jan 16, 2026 | Prefiled. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 6, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 3, 2026 | The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | House Standing Committee on Finance |
Passed |
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| Feb 19, 2026 | The committee on EDN recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Board of Education | ** Support |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 944-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1595
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 Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1595, H.D. 1, entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE LIBRARIAN,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose of this measure is to repeal the salary cap for the State Librarian.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1595, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,
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____________________________ CHRIS TODD, Chair |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 692-26
Honolulu, Hawaii
, 2026
RE: H.B. No. 1595
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 Education, to which was referred H.B. No. 1595 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE LIBRARIAN,"
begs leave to report as follows:
Your Committee finds that the existing salary cap for the State Librarian significantly hinders the ability of the Board of Education to recruit and retain qualified individuals to manage Hawaii's statewide public library system. Your Committee further finds that comparable executive-level positions within the State are not subject to similar statutory salary caps. Your Committee believes that removing the statutory salary cap of the State Librarian will enable the Board of Education to set compensation for the position based on market conditions, responsibilities, and performance standards, which will improve the administration and modernization of Hawaii's public library system by attracting and retaining highly qualified individuals.
Your Committee has amended this measure by:
(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000; 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 Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1595, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1595, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education,
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____________________________ JUSTIN H. WOODSON, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 3, 2026 | HB1595_HD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_03-03-26_.PDF |
| Feb 18, 2026 | HB1595_TESTIMONY_EDN_02-19-26_.PDF |
Bill Author
