State Senate Democrats have replaced Sen. Clayton Hee as chairman of the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee, giving the plum assignment to Sen. Brian Taniguchi, an attorney.

Hee, D-23rd (Kane'ohe, Kahuku), became the Judiciary chairman before last session after Sen. Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), took over the Senate presidency.

A news release issued by Senate Democrats yesterday described the changes as voluntary, but it was widely interpreted at the Capitol as a demotion for Hee, who has occasionally been a polarizing figure within the caucus and a target of criticism by Senate Republicans and the Lingle administration.

Republicans criticized Hee last session over his opposition to former Honolulu deputy prosecutor Glenn Kim's nomination as O'ahu Circuit Court judge. The Judiciary Committee voted against Kim's nomination, with Hee citing a lack of judicial temperament, but the full Senate confirmed him.

Hee apologized on the Senate floor for a committee report endorsing state Attorney General Mark Bennett for a second four-year term. The report contained several negative comments about Bennett, including questions of nepotism because Bennett's wife is a deputy attorney general. Bennett was confirmed unanimously.

Hee will take over a stripped-down Senate Water and Land Committee. It had jurisdiction over agriculture and Hawaiian affairs, but Senate Democrats created a new committee to oversee those issues.

Hee said in the news release that the Water and Land Committee addresses concerns with a direct impact on his district.

"I'm looking forward to working closely with everyone in my district, and with the committee members and the entire Senate, to make sure those areas get the attention they deserve," he said.

Taniguchi, D-10th (Manoa, McCully), was part of the Hanabusa faction that took control of the Senate but had to relinquish his prized chairmanship of the Senate Ways and Means Committee in the deal.

Taking over the Judiciary Committee is seen as a promotion for Taniguchi, since it is considered the second most powerful committee in the Senate hierarchy after Ways and Means.

Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u), will give up Water and Land and replace Taniguchi as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Consumer Protection and Affordable Housing Committee.

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.