HI HB2419

Amends Section 28-8.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to add the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands to the list of state departments authorized to employ or retain independent counsel without attorney general approval.

Adds the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands as item (22) to subsection (a), allowing it to employ or retain attorneys by contract or otherwise for litigation, legal counsel, and document drafting.

Modifies subsection (c) to exempt attorneys employed by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands from the requirement to be deputy attorneys general, bringing it in line with similar exemptions for other state entities.

Effective date is July 1, 2016.