HB1552 • 2026

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.

Elections

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: TARNAS, AMATO, BELATTI, ILAGAN, KILA, KUSCH, MARTEN, MATAYOSHI, MORIKAWA, OLDS, PERRUSO, POEPOE, SAYAMA, SOUZA, TAKAYAMA
Last action: 2026-02-10
Official status: The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details on how long the Attorney General can serve as Interim Chief Election Officer.

Rules for When the Chief Election Officer Vacates Their Position

This bill changes what happens when the Chief Election Officer leaves their job, stating that the Attorney General will take over until a new officer is chosen by the Elections Commission.

What This Bill Does

Changes who becomes the Interim Chief Election Officer if the current one leaves their position.
Requires the Attorney General to serve as the Interim Chief Election Officer until a new Chief Election Officer is appointed.

Who It Names or Affects

The Chief Election Officer
The Attorney General
The Elections Commission

Terms To Know

Interim Chief Election Officer: A temporary position filled by the Attorney General when there is no Chief Election Officer.
Elections Commission: The group that appoints and oversees the Chief Election Officer.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not specify what happens to ongoing election processes during a vacancy.
This bill is still under consideration by the legislature and has not yet been approved.

Bill History

2026-02-10 H
The committee(s) on JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
2026-02-06 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-10-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-26 H
Referred to JHA, referral sheet 1
2026-01-21 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-15 H
Prefiled.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER.
AG; Elections Commission; Chief Election Officer; Vacancy
Provides that, in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer, the Attorney General shall serve as the Interim Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission appoints a new Chief Election Officer.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB1552

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1552

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO THE CHIEF ELECTION 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 (a) to read as follows:

����
"(a)
�

The chief election officer shall be appointed by the elections
commission, without regard to chapter 76.
�

The appointment shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the
senate.
�
In the event of a vacancy[
,
the
]
:

����
(1)
�
The

elections commission shall meet expeditiously to select and appoint a new chief
election officer to serve the remainder of the unexpired term[
.
]
; and

����
(2)
�
Notwithstanding
any law to the contrary, the attorney general shall serve as the interim chief
election officer until the elections commission appoints a new chief election
officer.
"

����
SECTION 2.
�

This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that
were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

����
SECTION 3.
�

Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�

This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

AG; Elections
Commission; Chief Election Officer; Vacancy

Description:

Provides
that, in the event of a vacancy in the position of Chief Election Officer, the Attorney
General shall serve as the Interim Chief Election Officer until the Elections Commission
appoints a new Chief Election Officer.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.