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GM 1157

Informing the Legislature that on May 28, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1541 HD2 SD1 CD1 (ACT 057).

2026 Regular Session

The bill expands civil service exemptions, reorganizes health staffing flexibility, and mandates conversion of certain Hawaii State Hospital security roles to civil service by June

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Bill Summary · GM 1157

Summary of HB1541, CD1 (ACT 057) — Hawaii, 2026

Main purpose and intent

  • The bill relates to the Department of Health and its administrative framework, with broader implications for civil service rules and staffing within state agencies.
  • It reorganizes and clarifies exemptions from civil service, adjusts personnel rules for the Department of Health (and related statewide offices), and initiates targeted conversions of exempt positions to civil service under a defined timeline.

Key provisions and changes

  1. Civil service exemptions (amendment to §76-16, HRS)

    • Revises which state positions are exempt from civil service, creating an expansive list of exemptions (e.g., certain high-level agency heads, judicial positions, legislators, and specific statutory exemptions).
    • Adds or narrows exemptions for various departments and offices, including health, transportation, human services, education, judiciary, and others.
    • Specifies that many categories (e.g., department heads, board members, judges, commissioned officers, etc.) remain exempt, while certain administrative and specialized roles are subject to civil service reform.
    • Some exemptions are time-limited or require legislative action to extend.

  2. Mental health program staffing (amendment to §334-4, HRS)

    • Requires the Department of Health to appoint professional and nonprofessional staff for the state mental health program as needed, subject to available appropriations.
    • Exempts psychiatrists from civil service under certain conditions and allows contractual appointments for psychiatrists with governor approval.
    • Provides authority to appoint specific administrative and clinical leadership roles within the state hospital or secure psychiatric rehabilitation facility, exempt from civil service.

  3. Civil service conversion of specific Honolulu-based health facility staff (Section 3)

    • Directs conversion to civil service for certain security-related positions at the Hawaii State Hospital that were previously exempt:
      • Security manager, two security officers, building manager, and two investigators.
    • Conversion to occur no later than June 30, 2031.
    • Protections for incumbents: conversion preserves existing job duties, rights, benefits, and salary, with no loss to incumbents during the transition.

  4. Miscellaneous and operative provisions

    • The act explicitly notes that it shall take effect upon approval.
    • Revisions include bracketed deletions and underscored additions to statutory text to indicate changes.

Who is affected

  • State civil service system: Broadly impacts which positions are covered or exempt from civil service across numerous departments, boards, and offices.
  • Department of Health: Adjusts staffing flexibility for mental health programs; allows non-traditional appointment methods (contractual for psychiatrists) with oversight.
  • Hawaii State Hospital staff (specific roles): Some roles currently exempt will convert to civil service status by 2031.
  • Government leadership and judiciary: Maintains certain exempt positions (e.g., department heads, judges, legislators, etc.).

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Section 3 creates a phased conversion timeline, with a firm deadline of June 30, 2031, for converting specified security-related positions at the Hawaii State Hospital to civil service.
  • The bill emphasizes governor’s approval for certain contractual appointments and the governor’s role in determining applicability and sequencing of exemptions.
  • Effective date: The act takes effect upon approval by the Governor (signed May 28, 2026; ACT 057).

Practical impact and considerations

  • The changes could affect hiring flexibility, salary administration, and workforce stability for certain agencies by expanding or narrowing civil service exemptions.
  • The mental health staffing provisions aim to provide operational flexibility while maintaining accountability through statutory exemptions and governor oversight.
  • The 2031 conversion deadline for specific state hospital positions introduces a multi-year transition plan balancing administrative needs with civil service standards.

If you’d like, I can compare these provisions to prior law or highlight potential fiscal implications based on appropriation considerations.

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

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