SB 1381: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Current Status:

In Progress

(2025-04-24: Act 026, on 04/23/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1126).)

Introduced

In Committee

First Chamber

In Committee

Second Chamber

Final Decking

Enacted

Version:

Allows the Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, which is currently Major General. Provides the Adjutant General with the flexibility to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to lead the Hawaii Air National Guard. Authorizes the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay tables of the Regular Air Force of the United States. (SD1)

Date	Status
Apr 24, 2025	Act 026, on 04/23/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1126).
Apr 24, 2025	Act 026, 04/23/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1126).
Apr 8, 2025	Enrolled to Governor.
Apr 8, 2025	Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 623).
Apr 8, 2025	Passed Third Reading with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Marten excused (2). Transmitted to Senate.
Apr 4, 2025	Reported from FIN (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2013), recommending passage on Third Reading.
Apr 2, 2025	The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 15 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Takenouchi, Grandinetti, Holt, Hussey, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Kitagawa, Kusch, Lamosao, Lee, M., Miyake, Morikawa, Templo, Alcos, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and Excused: none.
Mar 31, 2025	Bill scheduled to be heard by FIN on Wednesday, 04-02-25 3:30PM in House conference room 308 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Mar 21, 2025	Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Cochran, Garrett, Kapela, Kitagawa, Ward excused (5).
Mar 21, 2025	Reported from PBS (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1428), recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
Mar 19, 2025	The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Iwamoto, Hashem, Ichiyama, Lamosao, Morikawa, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson.
Mar 14, 2025	Bill scheduled to be heard by PBS on Wednesday, 03-19-25 10:30AM in House conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
Mar 4, 2025	Referred to PBS, FIN, referral sheet 18
Mar 4, 2025	Pass First Reading
Feb 28, 2025	Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 56) in amended form (SD 1).
Feb 28, 2025	Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 2 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Kidani). Transmitted to House.
Feb 27, 2025	One Day Notice 02-28-25.
Feb 27, 2025	Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 786) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading.
Feb 18, 2025	The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.
Feb 14, 2025	The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-18-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
Feb 7, 2025	Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
Feb 7, 2025	Reported from PSM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 85) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
Jan 31, 2025	The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in PSM were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Wakai, Fukunaga, Rhoads, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Jan 28, 2025	The committee(s) on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 01-31-25 3:10PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.
Jan 27, 2025	Referred to PSM, WAM.
Jan 23, 2025	Introduced and passed First Reading.
Jan 21, 2025	Pending Introduction.

Date	Description	Location	Votes
Apr 8, 2025	Third Reading	House Floor	48 0 2 Passed
Apr 2, 2025	The committee on FIN recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	House Standing Committee on Finance	15 0 0 Passed
Mar 19, 2025	The committee on PBS recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	House Standing Committee on Public Safety	9 0 1 Passed
Feb 28, 2025	Third Reading	Senate Floor	23 0 2 Passed
Feb 18, 2025	The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED	Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means	12 0 1 Passed
Jan 31, 2025	The committee(s) on PSM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS	Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs	5 0 0 Passed

Key

Pro

Against

Did Not Vote

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.

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

Organization	Position	Date
Department of Defense	** Support
Department of the Air Force	*** Support	Apr 2, 2025
Hawaii Air National Guard	** Support
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency	*** Support	Jan 31, 2025
Office of the Adjutant General	*** Support	Apr 2, 2025

* Testimony in a hearing

** Position recorded in bill analysis

*** Position recorded in written testimony

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2013

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1381

S.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow the Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the United States Air Force, which is currently Major General;

(2) Authorize the Adjutant General to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to head the Hawaii Air National Guard; and

(3) Authorize the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay table of the United States Air Force.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense; Hawaii Air National Guard; and one individual.

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 S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

KYLE T. YAMASHITA, Chair

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1428

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1381

S.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Public Safety, to which was referred S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Allow the head of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the United States Department of the Air Force, which is currently major general;

(2) Provide the Adjutant General with the flexibility to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to lead the Hawaii Air National Guard; and

(3) Authorize the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay tables of the regular Air Force of the United States.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense; Hawaii Air National Guard; and one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure provides the Adjutant General with the flexibility to appoint either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to head the Hawaii Air National Guard. Your Committee further finds that this measure will clarify the chain of command as well as administrative and operational taskings.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety,

____________________________

DELLA AU BELATTI, Chair

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 786

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1381

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the military rank qualification, powers, and compensation of certain command officers of the Hawaii State Defense Force.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Allows the Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, which is currently Major General;

(2) Provides the Adjutant General with the flexibility to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to lead the Hawaii Air National Guard; and

(3) Authorizes the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay table of the Air Force.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Your Committee finds that most states are only authorized a Brigadier General to lead their Air National Guard, and that Brigadier General is assigned as the Assistant Adjutant General‑Air. Your Committee also finds that, due to the size and complexity of the Hawaii National Guard, the Department of the Air Force authorized Hawaii to have a Major General for the air component. However, current state law designates an Assistant Adjutant General, who may hold a rank no higher than Brigadier General, as the head of the air division. The higher-grade authorization of Major General should have been assigned to the Assistant Adjutant General-Air position, but could only be assigned to the Chief of Staff position because of the existing rank ceiling imposed on the Assistant Adjutant General-Air position by section 121-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Although the Chief of Staff leads the Hawaii Air National Guard as a Major General, your Committee notes that most Hawaii Air National Guard instructions refer to the Assistant Adjutant General as the leader of the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Your Committee further finds that this incongruency leads to confusion in the chain of command and could lead to missteps in administrative and operational taskings. This measure will streamline the chain of command and provide the Adjutant General the flexibility of appointing either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to head the Hawaii Air National Guard.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 85

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1381

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1381 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Allow the Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, which is currently Major General;

(2) Provide the Adjutant General with the flexibility to assign either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to lead the Hawaii Air National Guard; and

(3) Authorize the pay and allowances for the Chief of Staff of the Hawaii Air National Guard to be determined according to the pay tables of the Regular Air Force of the United States.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Defense and Hawaii Air National Guard.

Your Committee finds that most states only authorize a Brigadier General to serve as the highest rank in the Hawaii Air National Guard. However, the Department of the Air Force authorized the State to have a Major General for the air component, due to the size and complexity of the Hawaii Air National Guard. Under the current law, the Assistant Adjutant General is the head of the air division and as such is the only one who can sign orders related to that designation. Due to this limitation, the Major General authorization was assigned to the Chief of Staff position. Most Hawaii Air National Guard instructions refer to the Assistant Adjutant General as the leader of the Hawaii Air National Guard. However, due to the Assistant Adjutant General rank ceiling of Brigadier General in the state of Hawaii, the Chief of Staff leads the Hawaii Air National Guard as a Major General.

Your Committee finds that this incongruency leads to confusion in the chain of command and could lead to missteps in administrative and operational taskings. This measure will streamline the chain of command and provide the Adjutant General the flexibility of appointing either the Chief of Staff or the Assistant Adjutant General to head the Hawaii Air National Guard.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1381, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1381, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs,

________________________________

BRANDON J.C. ELEFANTE, Chair

Date	Testimony PDF
Apr 2, 2025	SB1381_SD1_TESTIMONY_FIN_04-02-25_.PDF
Mar 18, 2025	SB1381_SD1_TESTIMONY_PBS-WAL_03-19-25_.PDF
Feb 17, 2025	SB1381_SD1_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-18-25_.PDF
Jan 31, 2025	SB1381_TESTIMONY_PSM_01-31-25_.PDF

Discussed in Hearing

35SEC

Authors shown for version:
SB1381_SD1 (2/6/2025)

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1381
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1381
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII

SB 1381: RELATING TO THE HAWAII NATIONAL GUARD.

Current Status:

House Standing Committee on Finance

House Standing Committee on Public Safety

House Standing Committee on Water & Land

Senate Standing Committee on Government Operations

Senate Standing Committee on Public Safety and Military Affairs