STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1078

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 246

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Reform, to which was referred S.B. No. 246, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish the State Government Realignment Commission to review the executive branch's departments, divisions, and agencies, including functions and services, and to submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services and Department of Budget and Finance.

Your Committee finds that there is a need to modernize state government to reflect the current generation of Hawaii residents and provide effective and efficient governing at all levels. Your Committee further finds that the establishment of the State Government Realignment Commission, as proposed by this measure, will increase government transparency and improve government efficiency.

Your Committee also finds that requiring the State Government Realignment Commission to report to the Legislature three years after its appointment will not allow the executive branch enough time to implement its recommendations. As such, amendments to this measure are necessary to require the report to be issued in two years instead of three to give the executive branch time to implement the State Government Realignment Commission's recommendations during the current administration.

Your Committee has amended this measure accordingly by:

(1) Changing when the State Government Realignment Commission must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature to thirty days prior to the convening of the second Regular Session after the appointment of the members;

(2) Changing the effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

(3) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Reform that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 246, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 246, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Reform,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair