SB 2466: Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer; Termination
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2026-04-27
Current Status:
Passed
(2026-06-04: Act 082, on 06/04/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1182).)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
What does this bill do?
The bill makes the Chief Election Officer a position that can only be removed for cause (only for specific reasons, such as misconduct or failure to perform duties). It also requires the Elections Commission to provide written notice explaining the reason if it removes the chief election officer.
The summary is provided by generative AI which can make mistakes. For original language, please view the details in the table below.
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. (CD1)
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Specifies that the Chief Election office who passes the standard state probationary period may only be terminated for cause.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2466 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
C.D. 1 |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 11-1.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
"(g)
The chief election officer [is an at-will employee.] may only
be terminated for cause. The
elections commission shall provide written notification of any removal and
state the reason for the removal."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
Report Title:
Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer; Termination
Description:
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. (CD1)
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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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2466 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 |
H.D. 2 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 11-1.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
"(g)
The chief election officer [is an at-will employee.] may only
be terminated for cause. The
elections commission shall provide written notification of any removal and
state the reason for the removal."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer; Termination
Description:
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
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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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2466 |
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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 CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 11-1.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (g) to read as follows:
"(g)
The chief election officer [is] shall be an at-will
employee[.] and may only be terminated for cause. The elections commission shall provide
written notification of any removal and state the reason for the removal."
SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.
Report Title:
Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer; Termination
Description:
Specifies that the Chief Election Officer may only be terminated for cause. 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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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
2466 |
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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 CHIEF ELECTIONS OFFICER.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. Section 11-7.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§11-7.5 Duties of the elections commission. The duties of the elections commission are to:
(1) Hold public hearings;
(2) Investigate and hold hearings for receiving evidence of any violations and complaints;
(3) Adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91;
(4) Employ, without regard to chapter 76, a full-time chief election officer, pursuant to section 11-1.6; provided that the chief election officer who passes the standard state probationary period may only be terminated for cause;
(5) Conduct a performance evaluation of the chief election officer within two months after the date a general election is certified;
(6) Hold a public hearing on the performance of the chief election officer and consider the information gathered at the hearing in deliberations on the chief election officer's reappointment; provided that the chief election officer who passes the standard state probationary period may only be terminated for cause; and
(7) Advise the chief election officer on matters relating to elections."
SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
_____________________________ |
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Report Title:
Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer; Termination
Description:
Specifies that the Chief Election office who passes the standard state probationary period may only be terminated for cause.
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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| Jun 4, 2026 | Act 082, on 06/04/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1182). |
| Jun 4, 2026 | Act 082, 06/04/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1182). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Enrolled to Governor. |
| May 1, 2026 | Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 882). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 803). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Richards). |
| Apr 30, 2026 | Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with Representative(s) Kila, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (9) and none excused (0). |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Thursday, 04-30-26. |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 2-26) as amended in (CD 1). |
| Apr 28, 2026 | 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-26. |
| Apr 28, 2026 | Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 2-26). |
| Apr 22, 2026 | The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Tarnas; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Reyes Oda; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 22, 2026 | The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Apr 21, 2026 | Conference committee meeting scheduled for 04-22-26 2:30PM; Conference Room 325. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Received notice of Senate conferees (Sen. Com. No. 714). |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Senate Conferees Appointed: Rhoads Chair; Gabbard, Chang. |
| Apr 20, 2026 | Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 787). |
| Apr 20, 2026 | House Conferees Appointed: Sayama, Tarnas Co-Chairs; Reyes Oda. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Received notice of disagreement (Sen. Com. No. 710). |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Senate disagrees with House amendments. |
| Apr 16, 2026 | Received from House (Hse. Com. No. 662). |
| Apr 14, 2026 | Passed Third Reading as amended in HD 2 with Representative(s) Kila, Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu voting no (8) and none excused (0). Transmitted to Senate. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-14-26. |
| Apr 9, 2026 | Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2038-26) as amended in HD 2, recommending passage on Third Reading. |
| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Hashem, Kahaloa, Takayama; Ayes with reservations: none; 3 Noes: Representative(s) Cochran, Garcia, Shimizu; and 2 Excused: Representative(s) Belatti, Sayama. |
| Mar 25, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-31-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Passed Second Reading as amended in HD 1 and referred to the committee(s) on JHA with Representative(s) Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Reyes Oda, Shimizu voting no (8) and Representative(s) Quinlan excused (1). |
| Mar 20, 2026 | Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1261-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to JHA. |
| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 5 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Kong; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Reyes Oda. |
| Mar 12, 2026 | Bill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Tuesday, 03-17-26 9:30AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Referred to LAB, JHA, referral sheet 16 |
| Mar 10, 2026 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 55). |
| Mar 6, 2026 | Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 21; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte, Fevella). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | One Day Notice 3/6/26. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | One Day Notice 3/06/2026. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading. |
| Mar 5, 2026 | Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2800) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. |
| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in JDC were as follows: 2 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura. |
| Feb 9, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-13-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 30, 2026 | Re-Referred to JDC. |
| Jan 28, 2026 | Referred to LBT, JDC. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | Introduced. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Apr 30, 2026 | Final Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 30, 2026 | Final Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Apr 14, 2026 | Third Reading | House Floor |
Passed |
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| Mar 31, 2026 | The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs |
Passed |
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| Mar 17, 2026 | The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS | House Standing Committee on Labor |
Passed |
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| Mar 6, 2026 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 13, 2026 | The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
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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| Elections Commission | *** Against | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Hawaiian Islands Republican Women | *** Against | Feb 13, 2026 |
| Hawaiian Islands Republican Women | *** Against | Mar 31, 2026 |
| indivisible | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Indivisible Hawaii Statewide Network | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Indivisible Hawaiʻi | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Kingdom of the Hawaiian Islands | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
| Kupuna Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii | *** Support | Feb 13, 2026 |
| League of Women Voters of Hawaii | *** Support | Mar 31, 2026 |
| Ohana Unity Party | *** Support | Mar 17, 2026 |
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 |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 31, 2026 | SB2466_HD1_TESTIMONY_JHA_03-31-26_.PDF |
| Mar 17, 2026 | SB2466_TESTIMONY_LAB_03-17-26_.PDF |
| Feb 13, 2026 | SB2466_TESTIMONY_JDC_02-13-26_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
24MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
2MIN
House Standing Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
9MIN
House Standing Committee on Labor
1MIN
House Standing Committee on Labor
9MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
9MIN
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
34SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary
34SEC
Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs
Bill Author
