HB23 would change Hawaii’s insurance commissioner from an appointed executive-branch position to an elected office beginning with the 2026 election cycle. The bill amends the insurance code to provide that the commissioner will be elected to a four-year term, may be reelected without limit, and will be responsible for the duties of the insurance division. It also states that the first election for the office will occur in 2026.
The bill further creates detailed vacancy-filling rules for the office of insurance commissioner by adding a new section to Chapter 17, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Depending on when a vacancy occurs relative to primary and general election filing deadlines, the governor would make a temporary appointment from a list submitted by the same political party as the prior incumbent, or, if the prior incumbent was nonpartisan, appoint a nonpartisan resident. In some cases, the vacancy would be filled by election at the next general election, with nomination procedures specified for party and nonpartisan candidates.
Impact
HB23 would substantially revise state law governing the insurance commissioner by converting the office from one appointed by the director of commerce and consumer affairs, with gubernatorial approval, to an independently elected statewide office. It would amend Section 431:2-102 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, repeal the existing appointment language, and establish a new election-based structure for the office, including term length, reelection eligibility, and the timing of the first election. The bill also adds a new vacancy procedure in Chapter 17 that ties interim appointments and special-election timing to party affiliation and election deadlines, affecting the governor, chief election officer, political parties, and potential candidates for the office.
Sentiment
The available bill materials suggest a generally straightforward and reform-oriented proposal, with the official description framing it as a change from an appointed to an elected insurance commissioner. No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of floor or committee debate, amendments, or opposition in the supplied record. The bill’s referral to multiple committees indicates it was still moving through the legislative process at the time of the last action.
Contention
The main likely point of contention is the policy choice to make the insurance commissioner an elected rather than appointed position. Supporters would likely view this as increasing accountability and voter control over insurance regulation, while opponents may argue it could politicize a technical regulatory office or reduce executive flexibility in staffing. The vacancy provisions may also draw attention because they require temporary appointments to be drawn from lists submitted by the prior incumbent’s political party, or from nonpartisan criteria if the prior incumbent was nonpartisan, which could raise questions about partisanship in what has traditionally been an administrative regulatory role.
Establishes a commission to promulgate rules, regulations and make recommendations to the governor as to petitions for pardons under Article IX, Section 13 of the Constitution of Rhode Island.
Establishes a commission to promulgate rules, regulations and make recommendations to the governor as to petitions for pardons under Article IX, Section 13 of the Constitution of Rhode Island.