Ige Signs Law to Expedite Contested Case Hearings

Governor David Ige. State of Hawai’i Governor’s Office photo.

Act 48, HB1581 was signed into law Wednesday morning by Governor David Ige.

The new law aims to expedite the resolution of disputes on actions by state agencies.

Under the new law, contested case hearings before the commissions on Water Resource Management, Land Use, Public Utilities, the Hawai’i Community Development Authority, and cases involving conservation districts can be appealed directly to the Hawai’i Supreme Court.

In addition, the law requires the Supreme Court to prioritize contested case appeals of significant statewide importance.

“The ability to directly appeal a contested case decision to the Hawai‘i Supreme Court will be very efficient, saving both time and money for all parties involved,” said House Majority Leader Scott Saiki (McCully, Kaheka, Kaka‘ako, Downtown), who introduced the measure. “A Supreme Court decision will provide finality for a contested case much sooner than if appeals must be taken at various court levels.”

This law will expedite the review process and decisions in important cases involving constitutional matters.

The new law takes effect on Aug. 1.