SB 2311 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO CLAIMS AGAINST THE STATE.

Summary

Prohibits claims for refunds, reimbursements, or other payments, authorization for which is sought from the Legislature that exceed the time limitations of section 40-68, Hawaii Revised Statutes, from being claimed. Requires the Attorney General to submit a confidential report within five days after the opening of a Regular Session to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the Senate, Chairs of the House and Senate Judiciary Committees that provides a good faith estimate of each possible judgment against the State that has not yet settled. Requires the Attorney General to submit a report every five years to the Legislature containing further incidents that occurred in an agency that led to a claim. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Feb 2026

Senate Passage

Feb 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Feb 19, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2311 → SB2311_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill update shifts the Attorney General's reporting timeline for potential state liability claims from 20 days to 40 days before a legislative session, ensuring more time for review. It also adds a requirement for an immediate confidential report within five days of the session opening to estimate unpaid judgments. Additionally, the bill clarifies that the Attorney General must consult the Governor before settling claims over $75,000.

TIMELINE

The deadline for submitting the annual claims report to the legislature was extended from 20 days to 40 days prior to the convening of each regular legislative session.

REQUIREMENT

A new requirement mandates that the Attorney General submit a confidential report within five days of the session opening, providing a good faith estimate of all unsettled judgments against the state.

The Attorney General is now required to consult with the Governor before entering into any settlement agreement for awards exceeding $75,000.

DEFINITION

The bill text was updated to reflect that the Attorney General must consult with the department head (changed from 'employee or department') when determining recommended actions for claims.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2438) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 3, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors