Submitting for consideration and confirmation to the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council, Gubernatorial Nominee, MARK PHONGSAVATH, for a term to expire 06-30-2030.

2026 Regular Session

Nomination of Mark Phongsavath to the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council is subject to Senate confirmation for a term ending June 30, 2030.

The recommendation of the committee(s) on LBT is to ADVISE AND CONSENT to the nomination(s). The votes in LBT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara.

#hawaiʻiworkforcedevelopmentcouncil

1) Purpose and Intent

The bill proposes submitting for consideration and confirmation a gubernatorial nomination to the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council.

Nominee: Mark Phongsavath

Term: to expire June 30, 2030

This action follows the constitutional process requiring Senate confirmation of gubernatorial appointments.

2) Key Provisions and Changes

Formal nomination: The Governor formally nominates Mark Phongsavath to the Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council.

Confirmation process: The bill triggers the Senate’s “advise and consent” role for gubernatorial appointments, enabling the Legislature to review and confirm the nominee.

Term length: Sets the expiration date of the appointment at June 30, 2030, establishing a fixed term for service on the Council.

3) Who/What Would Be Affected

The Hawaiʻi Workforce Development Council: The council would gain Mark Phongsavath as a seated member for the specified term.

Mark Phongsavath: As the nominatee, his service and influence on workforce development policy, planning, and advising the state on workforce initiatives would be affected.

The Legislature (Senate): Responsible for the confirmation process, including committee review and floor vote.

4) Procedural and Timeline Aspects

Nomination transmitted: March 19, 2026, by the Governor.

Senate committee action: The Joint Committee on Legislative Ballot or relevant LBT (Labor, Business, and Tourism) committee recommended “ADVISE AND CONSENT” with a vote of 4 ayes, 0 nays, 0 with reservations, 1 excused (as of April 13, 2026).

Public hearing schedule adjustments: In April 2026, the LBT committee adjusted the public hearing to April 13, 2026, with notice of hearing and videoconference logistics.

Confirmation path: If the full Senate approves, the nomination would be confirmed for the term ending June 30, 2030.

5) Additional Context

The document reflects standard executive-to-legislative confirmation procedure used in Hawaii for high-level appointments.

The process timeline indicates timely progression toward confirmation, with committee voting in favor and no reported opposing votes.

Note

This summary covers the bill’s essential substance based on the provided executive message and action history. If the bill includes additional statutory changes or ancillary provisions not stated here, those would require the full bill text for comprehensive detail.

Bill