By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Capitol Bureau chief
House Democrats rejected the idea of electing Hawai‘i’s attorney general yesterday, arguing that the state’s top law enforcement official shouldn’t have to raise campaign money and ask for votes.
In a 27-16 vote on the House floor, lawmakers killed a proposal by House Republicans to ask voters if they want to amend the state Constitution to have an elected attorney general.
The proposal had been bottled up in the House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee, but Republicans voted to bring it to the floor.
Minority Leader Galen Fox, R-21st (Waikiki, Ala Wai) said only five states including Hawai‘i still have attorneys general who are appointed by the governor.
House Minority Floor Leader David Pendleton, R-50th (Maunawili, Enchanted Lake), argued that an elected attorney general "would be more accountable to the public and less beholden to any politician or set of politicians. He or she would truly be the people’s attorney."
Democrats argued that the effect would be the opposite, because elected attorneys general might be obligated to campaign contributors.
Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Chairman Eric Hama-kawa said elected attorneys general in other states often use the office as a "stepping stone" to higher office, which could prompt conflict between the governor and attorney general.
Hamakawa, D-3rd (S. Hilo, Puna) said Hawai‘i governors can be held "accountable" if they appoint ineffectual attorneys general, and Hawai‘i’s attorneys general already have a degree of autonomy from governors: The Hawai‘i Constitution requires state Senate approval before a governor can fire an attorney general.
Fifteen Republicans and Rep. Helene Hale, D-4th (Ka‘u, Puna) voted in favor of the proposed constitutional amendment.
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