HI HB2150

Requires the mayor of each county to appoint, and the respective county or city council to confirm, a county medical examiner who must be licensed as a physician under chapter 453 and certified as an anatomic or forensic pathologist by the American Board of Pathology.

Makes the medical examiner for each county serve as the county's coroner, removing the chief of police from serving as ex officio coroner in Hawaii, Maui, and Kauai counties.

Separates coroners from law enforcement to promote independence, transparency, and avoid conflicts of interest in death investigations, citing concerns raised by the 2023 Maui wildfires.

Appropriates funds to Maui, Hawaii, and Kauai counties for fiscal year 2024-2025 to establish new county medical examiner positions (amounts not specified in bill text).

Requires mayors to appoint and councils to confirm medical examiners within a specified timeframe after the effective date or when a vacancy occurs; declares appropriations exceed the state general fund expenditure ceiling for 2024-2025.