Legislator Kevin W. Hines was elected chairperson of the Orange County Legislature at the body's organization meeting on Jan. 2, 2025. The Legislature convened with 20 members present and one absent before taking the vote to select a 2025 chair.

The nomination that led to Hines's election began when Legislator Sutherland said, "Thank you. I'd like to nominate Kevin Hines for the role of chairman." Legislator de Ganga seconded and offered a lengthy endorsement of Hines's public-service background, saying, "These are the qualities of a good, positive leader. ... I look forward to walking and working beside Kevin, not behind him, as we go into 2025." Legislator Katie Benelli was also nominated by colleagues and received statements of support.

After roll-call votes on the two nominations, the presiding deputy clerk announced, "Legislator Kevin W. Hines has been elected chairperson for the year 2025." Following his election, Hines thanked colleagues and department staff and said, "I've been putting out fires since I was 16 and I hope to be able to do some of that here for all of you." He said he intends to work with all legislators and county officials to advance projects including roads, bridges, economic development and housing.

Several legislators offered congratulations and framed the vote as a chance to shift the Legislature's tone. Legislator Ramos, speaking after the election, said the change marked a move "towards greater collaboration, transparency, and community driven decision making," and criticized previous leadership styles that he described as divisive.

The election was the first formal action of the organization's meeting. No formal legal authority beyond the Legislature's internal procedures was cited during the nomination and vote. The Legislature then proceeded to other organizational business for the year.