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GM 801

Submitting for consideration and confirmation as Chief Justice of the Hawai'i State Supreme Court, Gubernatorial Appointee, VLADIMIR P. DEVENS, for a term to expire in 10 years.

2026 Regular Session

Confirms Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court for a 10-year term.

Confirmed. Ayes, 20. Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Elefante, Ihara, Keohokalole, Lee, C., Moriwaki. Noes, 5 (Senator(s) Fukunaga, Inouye, Kidani, Rhoads, San Buenaventura). Excused, 0 (none).
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · GM 801

Summary of GM 801 (Session 2026) — Hawaii

Overview

GM 801 concerns submitting for consideration and confirmation a gubernatorial appointment to the Hawaii State Supreme Court: Vladimir P. Devens, designated as Chief Justice. The term length is specified to expire in 10 years.

  • Jurisdiction: Hawaii
  • Title: Submitting for consideration and confirmation as Chief Justice of the Hawai'i State Supreme Court, Gubernatorial Appointee, VLADIMIR P. DEVENS, for a term to expire in 10 years
  • Action: Confirmed by the Senate (Ayes 20; Noes 5; with reservations noted by some senators)

Purpose and Intent

  • To formally confirm Vladimir P. Devens as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.
  • To authorize the executive branch’s appointment to a high court leadership role and establish the term length of 10 years.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Appointment and Confirmation: The measure records the process of submitting the gubernatorial appointment for Senate confirmation and the subsequent confirmation vote.
  • Leadership Position: Appointee is designated to the role of Chief Justice, the highest judicial officer in the Hawaii State Supreme Court.
  • Term Length: The appointment is for a term that expires in 10 years, outlining a fixed duration of service rather than indefinite tenure.
  • Deliberative Process Details: The bill tracks the standard legislative confirmation process, including committee review, public hearing scheduling, and final Senate vote.
    • Committee Action: Joint or relevant committee (JDC) recommended consent for the nomination.
    • Public Hearings: Noted scheduling and hearing dates (e.g., public hearing held on 04-22-26; subsequent actions on 04-24 and 04-29–04-30).
    • Final Confirmation: The Senate confirmed the nomination on 2026-04-30 (Ayes 20, Noes 5; certain senators reserved comments).

Who Is Affected

  • Vladimir P. Devens: Appointed to and serving as Chief Justice of the Hawaii State Supreme Court.
  • Hawaii State Judiciary: As leadership, Devens’ confirmation impacts court administration, policy leadership, and potentially judicial administrative operations.
  • Legislative and Executive Branch Interactions: Reflects standard constitutional process for judicial appointments, including oversight, committee review, and Senate consent.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • April 2, 2026: Bill referred to the Joint (Judiciary/ми) Committee on Judiciary (JDC) for screening.
  • April 17, 2026: Public hearing announced for April 22, 2026.
  • April 22, 2026: JDC deferred measure to April 24, 2026, for continued consideration.
  • April 24, 2026: JDC recommended consent (votes: 3 Aye; 2 No).
  • April 29–30, 2026: One-day notice preceding final Senate action; Senate confirmed the nomination on April 30, 2026.
  • Post-confirmation: The bill’s effect is to formalize the appointment and confirmation of the Chief Justice for a 10-year term.

Additional Notes

  • Voting details reflect some reservations by a subset of Senators (Dela Cruz, Elefante, Ihara, Keohokalole, Lee C., Moriwaki) at confirmation, and five Senators voted No (Fukunaga, Inouye, Kidani, Rhoads, San Buenaventura).
  • The summary focuses on the substantive outcome: confirmation of a gubernatorial appointee to Chief Justice for a 10-year term, following the standard legislative confirmation process.

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

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