Hawaii · 2026 Regular Session · Bill
SB 1543: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY.
Passed one chamber Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
SB 1543 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 22, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. Primary sponsor: Donna Kim (Democratic), Stanley Chang (Democratic), Lynn DeCoite (Democratic), Kurt Fevella (Republican), Mike Gabbard (Democratic), KIDANI, Angus McKelvey (Democratic), Joy San Buenaventura (Democratic). It lists 3 additional sponsors. Most recent recorded action (December 8, 2025): Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Caps the amount each agency can spend on external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires each agency to disclose new contracts with external consultants. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2491. (SD2)
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 9 · Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donna Kim | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 14 |
| Stanley Chang | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 9 |
| Lynn DeCoite | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 7 |
| Kurt Fevella | Primary sponsor | Republican | Senate | 20 |
| Mike Gabbard | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 21 |
| KIDANI | Primary sponsor | Not applicable (committee) | — | — |
| Angus McKelvey | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 6 |
| Joy San Buenaventura | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 2 |
| Donovan Dela Cruz | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 17 |
| Tim Richards | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 4 |
| Glenn Wakai | Co-sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 15 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
- Pass First Reading
- Referred to LAB, FIN, referral sheet 19
- Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 2). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.
- Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 367) in amended form (SD 2).
- Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 751) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 2).
- 48 Hrs. Notice 03-04-25.
- The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) DeCoite.
- The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-18-25 10:01AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.
- Reported from GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 323) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.
- Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.
- The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in GVO were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Gabbard, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.
Showing 12 most recent of 17 actions. Full history