Letter dated 07-07-2025, correcting the Statement of Objections date in GM1406, veto of SB1102 SD2 HD2 CD1, to July 3, 2025.

2025 Regular Session

SB1102 CD1 would create a Senate-confirmed Hawaii ARFF Fire Chief with a four-year term from a three-candidate list; vetoed over potential appointment delays.

Received.

#correctingthestatementofobjectionsdateingm1406 #ltr #vetoofsb1102sd2hd2cd1

What GM1413 is

A gubernatorial proclamation/communications document issued July 7, 2025.

Purpose: Correct the date of the governor’s Statement of Objections to SB1102 to July 3, 2025.

Context: Relates to the veto of SB1102, SD2, HD2, CD1, concerning the Hawaii state Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) Unit.

Status: Received by the Legislature on July 7, 2025.

Background on SB1102 CD1 (as vetoed)

Title: A Bill for an Act Relating to the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting Unit.

Core idea: Establish an appointed Fire Chief for the Hawaii state ARFF Unit within the Airports Division of the Department of Transportation (DOT), with defined appointment processes and term limits.

Legislative action prior to veto:

Passed Final Reading in both chambers on April 30, 2025.
Sent to the Governor for signature or veto.

Key provisions of SB1102 CD1 (as introduced by the bill)

Appointment process:

The Fire Chief would be appointed from a list of three qualified candidates submitted by the State Fire Council.
Appointment would be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate (Senate approval required).

Term limits:

Each Fire Chief would serve a four-year term.
No individual could be appointed to more than two consecutive terms.

Effective date:

The act would take effect upon the Governor’s approval.

Governor’s objection (veto) and rationale

The Governor’s Statement of Objections (dated July 3, 2025) cites:

The proposed appointment process is inconsistent with how other department leadership positions are selected.
Requiring legislative approval for the Fire Chief could delay appointments.
Delays could impact airport operations, safety, and readiness.

The Governor returned SB1102 without approval (i.e., vetoed).

Who is affected

Primary: The Fire Chief of the Hawaii state ARFF Unit (Airports Division, DOT).

Indirectly affected entities: State Fire Council, the Department of Transportation, and the Legislature (through confirmation requirements).

Operational impact: Appointment timeliness and leadership continuity at Hawaii airports’ ARFF units.

Procedural and timeline notes

SB1102 CD1 received Final Reading approval from both chambers on April 30, 2025.

Governor issued a veto with an objections letter, dated July 3, 2025.

Governor’s proclamation GM1413 was issued July 7, 2025 to correct the date of the Statement of Objections.

The document GM1413 itself is a record-keeping proclamation, not a change in law.

Bottom line

GM1413 serves to correct the record regarding when the Governor lodged objections to SB1102 CD1. SB1102 CD1 would have created a Senate-confirmed, four-year-term Fire Chief for Hawaii’s ARFF unit, appointed from a State Fire Council shortlist, but it was vetoed on grounds of potential delays and inconsistency with other leadership appointments. The corrected date does not alter the substantive policy outcome, which remains subject to the veto.

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