Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Board of Directors, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi, Gubernatorial Nominee, MICHAEL NEDBAL, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

2026 Regular Session

Nominate and confirm Michael Nedbal to a four-year term on the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi Board of Directors, ending June 30, 2030.

Reported from EDU (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3935) with recommendation to Advise and Consent.

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1) Purpose and Intent

The bill is a gubernatorial nomination for confirmation by the Hawaii State Senate.

It proposes the appointment of Michael Nedbal to the Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH).

Term of appointment: Expiring June 30, 2030.

The measure follows the constitutional requirement for gubernatorial nominations to the Senate for advice and consent.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Nominee: Michael Nedbal named to the RCUH Board of Directors.

Term: 4-year term concluding on June 30, 2030.

Governance Role: As a member of the Board of Directors, Nedbal would participate in high-level oversight and governance of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi, a nonprofit affiliate that supports UH research activities and related functions.

Confirmation Process: The bill indicates the typical legislative path of Senate confirmation after gubernatorial nomination, including committee review and a public hearing, followed by a majority advisory and consent vote by the full Senate.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

Primary affected entity: Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi (RCUH), through governance by its Board of Directors.

Stakeholders: University of Hawaiʻi researchers and research programs funded or supported by RCUH; UH administration; other RC/UH-affiliated research entities; and the broader public benefiting from UH research activities.

Nominee impact: Michael Nedbal’s service would influence strategic oversight, fiduciary responsibilities, and oversight of RCUH’s management of funds, contracts, and research initiatives during the term.

4) Procedural and Timeline Details

Reference: The governor’s nomination letter dated February 11, 2026.

Legislative action history:

Referred to the Senate Committee on Education (EDU) on February 12, 2026.
Public hearing scheduled or held on April 17, 2026 (1:00 PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference).
EDU Committee recommendation: Advise and Consent (reported April 17, 2026) with a vote of 5 Ayes, no nays, no abstentions; no reservations noted.
Reported from EDU to the full Senate with a recommendation to Advise and Consent (April 28, 2026).

Next steps: If the Senate approves, the nomination would advance to final confirmation per Hawaii’s constitutional process, culminating in the governor’s official appointment to the RCUH Board for the stated term.

5) Notable Details

The bill’s text primarily documents the nomination and confirmation pathway rather than substantive statutory changes.

The expressed timeline aligns with standard gubernatorial nominations requiring Senate consent.

Bottom Line

GM 695 seeks Senate confirmation for Michael Nedbal to serve on the Board of Directors of the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi for a term ending June 30, 2030. The Education Committee gave a favorable recommendation, and the bill advances via the standard confirmation process.

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