SB 2862 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO GUBERNATORIAL APPOINTMENTS.

Summary

Requires any person in a position that is not subject to the civil service law to obtain the advice and consent of the senate if the person is appointed by the governor to serve in the executive branch or is appointed pursuant to section 346-381.5, HRS. Requires persons currently serving in positions made subject to the advice and consent of the Senate by this Act to obtain the advice and consent of the Senate during the Regular Session of 2027 unless the appointee was subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Effective 1/1/2525. (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 23, 2026 Last action Feb 20, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2862 → SB2862_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was rewritten to remove a salary threshold, requiring Senate confirmation for all executive branch appointees regardless of pay. It also expanded the definition of covered positions to include those appointed under a specific statute, ensuring broader oversight of gubernatorial appointments.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded from covering only high-salary executive appointments to covering all executive branch appointments not subject to civil service laws, plus those appointed under a specific HRS section.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the $160,000 annual salary threshold that previously determined if an appointment required Senate confirmation.

Added a requirement for Senate confirmation for positions appointed pursuant to section 346-381.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the effective date of the Act from immediate approval to January 1, 2525.

Updated the transition clause to require Senate confirmation for existing appointees regardless of their salary, rather than only those earning over $160,000.

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 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 20, 2026

Committee

Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2664) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to JDC.

upper

Feb 17, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-03-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 30, 2026

Committee

Referred to GVO, JDC.

upper

Jan 23, 2026

Introduced

Introduced.

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors