HB 2216 Summary

• Increases Native Hawaiian membership requirement on Hawaiian Homes Commission from four to five members, with at least two of those five required to be on the department's waitlist for homestead land awards.

• Authorizes commission members to elect their own chairperson and vice chairperson instead of the governor appointing the chairperson.

• Creates a new Director of Hawaiian Home Lands position appointed by the governor with senate consent; separates director duties from the chairperson role, with the director serving full-time and handling department administration.

• Allows sitting commission members whose terms have not expired to continue serving even if they do not meet new membership qualifications under this Act.

• Takes effect July 1, 2050.