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Bill

GM 1150

Informing the Legislature that on May 27, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: SB3131 SD1 HD1 CD1 (ACT 050).

2026 Regular Session

The act replaces outdated state job titles “secretary” and “private secretary” with “administrative assistant” and “executive assistant” to improve clarity, recruitment, and effici

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Bill Summary · GM 1150

Overview

  • Bill: SB3131, SD1, HD1, CD1 (Act 050)
  • Jurisdiction: Hawaii
  • Session: 2026
  • Date signed into law: May 27, 2026
  • Placeholder: GM 1150 informs the Legislature that the Governor signed the bill into law

Main purpose and intent

  • The Act updates Hawaii state job titles to align with modern terminology and industry standards.
  • Specifically, it changes certain civil service and state title designations from outdated terms (notably "secretary" and "private secretary") to more contemporary titles:
    • “secretary” → “administrative assistant”
    • “private secretary” → “executive assistant”
  • This modernization aims to improve the State’s ability to attract and retain qualified employees.

Key provisions and changes

  • Section 1 (Findings and purpose):

    • Acknowledges that job titles have become outdated.
    • Documents prior modernization: civil service secretary series renamed to “administrative assistant” and administrative assistant series renamed to “executive specialist” (effective July 16, 2024).
    • Declares the Act’s purpose to update state position titles where applicable (private secretary → executive assistant; secretary → administrative assistant).

  • Section 2 (Civil service exemptions and position classifications):

    • Amends Section 76-16, subsection (b), clarifying which positions are covered by civil service and which are exempt.
    • Lists numerous exemptions (e.g., National Guard positions, legislative staff, elected/appointed officials, judges, state testifying bodies, certain university and HR positions, etc.).
    • Contains detailed enumerations of specific exemptions, including numerous judicial, executive, and departmental roles, and a provision about periodically re-evaluating exemptions (e.g., expirations and reenactment rules).

  • Section 3 (Executive assistant designation for administrator):

    • Amends Section 103D-204 to allow the administrator (chief procurement officer) to appoint and dismiss an “executive assistant” without regard to certain civil service chapters, with support from the comptroller.

  • Section 4 and 5 (Parole authority):

    • Updates references to “administrative secretary” to “administrative assistant” in relevant paroling authority sections.
    • Keeps existing rules for parole hearings, records, and appointment of staff, but with updated terminology.

  • Section 6 (Terminology updates in statutes):

    • Replaces references to “secretary” with “administrative assistant” (and related terms) across several statutes (e.g., 28-8.5, 90D-8, 155-4, 312-2.1, 312-2.2) as context requires.

  • Section 7 (Revisor language):

    • Indicates which statutory material is repealed and which is newly underscored (formatting in the bill).

  • Section 8 (Effective date and implementation):

    • Takes effect on July 1, 2026.
    • Note: Amendments to certain sections (312-2.1) are designed to remain in effect beyond initial reenactment in 2028 as per Act 141, Session Laws of 2023.

Who/what is affected

  • State civil service positions and titles, particularly those currently labeled “secretary” or “private secretary.”
  • Administrative and procurement-related offices, including the Office of the Administrator (chief procurement officer) and related staff.
  • Various state agencies and statutory offices referenced in the exemptions and title changes (e.g., judiciary, department heads, departments of health, education, transportation, law enforcement, human services, corrections, and others listed in the exemptions).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: July 1, 2026.
  • Some provisions reference prior modernization efforts (effective July 16, 2024) and future reenactment considerations (June 30, 2028) in connection with Act 141 (2023).
  • The act requires the director to determine applicability of specific sections to particular positions.
  • The Governor’s sign-off and issuance of the Act were completed on May 27, 2026 (Act 050).

Practical impact

  • Administrative clarity: Updated job titles will better reflect duties and align with private-sector norms, potentially improving recruitment and retention.
  • Administrative efficiency: Clarified appointments (e.g., executive assistant) may streamline procurement and administrative functions.
  • Implementation considerations: Agencies will need to update job classifications, official forms, and internal communications to reflect title changes; certain exemptions from civil service remain subject to statutory rules and may evolve with future legislation.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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