Requires that, after receiving notice of a U.S. Senate vacancy from the governor, the chair of the political party in which the previous incumbent held membership shall submit to the governor the names of not less than three nominees to fill the vacancy. Requires the governor to fill the vacancy by appointing an individual from the list of nominees within five days. (HB2455 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Section 17-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§17-1 United States senator. When a vacancy occurs in the office of United States senator, the vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term at the following state general election[, provided that] if the vacancy occurs not later than 4:30 p.m. on the sixtieth day prior to the primary for nominating candidates to be voted for at the election[; otherwise]. Otherwise the vacancy shall be filled at the state general election next following. The chief election officer shall issue a proclamation designating the election for filling the vacancy. Upon a vacancy occurring, the governor shall immediately notify in writing the chair of the political party in which the previous incumbent held membership at the time of the incumbent's election, or appointment if not elected to office. Pending the election, the chair of the political party to which the previous incumbent belonged shall submit to the governor the names of no fewer than three persons qualified to fill the vacancy. Within five days after receiving the list of names of the nominees from the chair of the appropriate political party, the governor shall make a temporary appointment of one of the nominees to fill the vacancy [and the]. The person so appointed shall serve until the election and qualification of the person duly elected to fill the vacancy [and shall be a registered member of the same political party as the senator causing the vacancy]. All candidates for the unexpired term shall be nominated and elected in accordance with this title."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.