State Position Title Updates
Summary
The Hawaii State Senate passed SB3131, updating state position titles by replacing 'private secretary' with 'executive assistant' and 'secretary' with 'administrative assistant' where applicable. The bill cleared both chambers with unanimous support and advances to the Governor for signature.
What changed
The Hawaii State Legislature enacted SB3131, which modifies official state position titles across Hawaii's government workforce. Specifically, the bill replaces 'private secretary' with 'executive assistant' and 'secretary' with 'administrative assistant' throughout applicable state positions. The bill passed the Senate unanimously (25-0) and awaits gubernatorial action.
State agencies and HR departments should begin preparing to implement these terminology changes in personnel records, job descriptions, organizational charts, and official communications. No penalties are associated with this administrative update. This is a ministerial change affecting how positions are titled, not the duties, compensation, or classification of any position.
What to do next
- Update internal position titles in HR systems and records
- Revise job descriptions to reflect new 'executive assistant' and 'administrative assistant' terminology
- Communicate terminology changes to affected staff and departments
Source document (simplified)
ChangeBridge / Hawaii / SB3131 Passed SB3131 Senate Bill Passed 2026-03-10
Relating To Personnel.
Updates state position titles by changing "private secretary" to "executive assistant" and "secretary" to "administrative assistant", where applicable. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Bill Details
State Hawaii
Session 2026 Regular Session
Chamber Senate
Official Source www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_ind...
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Sponsors
Ronald Kouchi (Sen - D)
Action History
2026-04-01 H Reported from LAB (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1585-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and placement on the calendar for Third Reading. 2026-03-19 H The committee on LAB recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Sayama, Lee, M., Garrett, Kapela, Kong, Reyes Oda; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none. 2026-03-16 H Bill scheduled to be heard by LAB on Thursday, 03-19-26 9:35AM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. 2026-03-12 H Referred to LAB, referral sheet 17 2026-03-12 H Pass First Reading 2026-03-10 H Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 365) in amended form (SD 1). 2026-03-10 S Report adopted; Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. 2026-03-06 S 48 Hrs. Notice 03-10-26. 2026-03-06 S Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3051) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). 2026-03-05 S The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. 2026-02-25 S The committee(s) on JDC will hold a public decision making on 03-05-26 10:01AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference. 2026-02-20 S Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDC. 2026-02-20 S Reported from LBT/GVO (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2541) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to JDC. 2026-02-11 S The committee(s) on LBT recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in LBT were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Elefante, Lamosao, Moriwaki, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Ihara. 2026-02-11 S The committee(s) on GVO recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in GVO were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) McKelvey, Hashimoto, Moriwaki, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Gabbard. 2026-02-09 S The committee(s) on LBT/GVO has rescheduled its public hearing to 02-11-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. 2026-02-09 S Public notice requirement waived pursuant to Senate Rule 21. 2026-02-08 S The committee(s) on LBT/GVO deleted the measure from the public hearing scheduled on 02-09-26 3:00PM; CR 225 & Videoconference. 2026-02-04 S The committee(s) on LBT/GVO has scheduled a public hearing on 02-09-26 3:00PM; Conference Room 225 & Videoconference. 2026-02-02 S Referred to LBT/GVO, JDC. 2026-01-28 S Passed First Reading. 2026-01-28 S Introduced. 2026-01-26 S Pending Introduction.
Votes
2026-02-11 Senate Government Operations: Passed, Unamended Yea: 4 Nay: 0 2026-02-11 Senate Labor and Technology: Passed, Unamended Yea: 4 Nay: 0 2026-03-05 Senate Judiciary: Passed, With Amendments Yea: 5 Nay: 0
Committee Referrals
2026-02-02 S Labor and Technology 2026-02-20 S Judiciary 2026-03-12 H Labor & Public Employment
Bill Text Versions
2026-02-04 Introduced 2026-03-06 Amended 2026-03-31 Amended
Subjects
Private Secretary Executive Assistant Secretary Administrative Assistant Legislative data powered by LegiScan (CC BY 4.0)
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