Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawai'i Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission, Gubernatorial Nominee, KAREN KNUDSEN, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

2026 Regular Session

Authorizes Karen Knudsen to serve on the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission through June 30, 2030, upon Senate confirmation.

Confirmed. Ayes, 24. Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) San Buenaventura).

#hawai'isister-stateandinternationalpartnershipscommission

Summary of Bill GM 788 (Session 2026) — Hawaii

Purpose and intent

This Joint Resolution or gubernatorial nomination involves submitting for consideration and confirmation a nominee to the Hawaiʻi Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission.

The specific nominee is Karen Knudsen, proposed to serve a term expiring June 30, 2030.

The action is part of the constitutional process (Article V, Section 6) for gubernatorial appointments requiring Senate confirmation.

Key provisions and changes

If confirmed, Karen Knudsen would join the Hawaiʻi Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission as a member.

Term of appointment: through June 30, 2030.

The document serves as the formal transmittal from the Governor to the Senate, requesting advice and consent for the appointment.

Who/what is affected

The primary affected entity is the Hawaiʻi Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission, which gains a new commissioner.

Karen Knudsen is the appointed individual candidate subject to Senate confirmation.

The Executive Branch (Governor) initiates the nomination; the Hawaiʻi State Senate conducts confirmation proceedings.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Nomination transmitted by the Governor on March 19, 2026.

Senate confirmation process timeline (as reflected in the action history):

March 20, 2026: Referred to the Senate Committee on Ways and Means and Assembly Affairs (WLA) for review.
April 20, 2026: Public hearing scheduled for April 23, 2026.
April 23, 2026: WLA committee-reporting action: “ADVISE AND CONSENT” with favorable recommendation (4 ayes, 0 noes, 1 excused).
May 6, 2026: Reported out with recommendation to Advise and Consent (one-day notice issued May 6 for a May 8 confirmation hearing).
May 8, 2026: Senate confirmed the nomination (Ayes 24, Noes 0, Excused 1).

Outcome: The Senate approved the nomination, enabling Karen Knudsen to serve on the Commission through June 30, 2030, subject to any further constitutional or statutory requirements.

Additional notes

The record indicates no negative votes and a clean confirmation, with one senator excused.

The bill’s content is largely administrative, focusing on the appointment and term length rather than creating new powers or funding mechanisms.

This summary captures the core purpose, the person targeted for appointment, the term, the confirmation process, and the potential impact on the Hawaii Sister-State and International Partnerships Commission.