HI HB1581

Requires contested case appeals from the Commission on Water Resource Management (Chapter 174C), Land Use Commission (Chapter 183C), Department of Land and Natural Resources (Chapter 205), and Public Utilities Commission (Chapter 269) to be appealed directly to the Hawaii Supreme Court instead of circuit court, with exceptions for certain appeals involving conservation districts or part III of chapter 205A.

Establishes that "person aggrieved" in contested case proceedings includes agencies that are parties to the case, allowing agencies to appeal administrative decisions.

Requires the Supreme Court to give priority to contested case appeals of significant statewide importance and to decide them as expeditiously as possible.

Modifies Section 91-14 to allow courts discretion in hearing oral arguments (rather than requiring them) and permits courts to appoint a master or monitor when remanding matters to ensure agency compliance with orders.

Sunsets the bill on July 1, 2019, with the judiciary required to report findings and recommendations to the legislature by twenty days prior to the 2019 regular session; effective date is August 1, 2016.