STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2887

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3171

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 3171 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEETING NOTICES,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Mandate the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the appropriate county clerk's office to ensure access to paper or electronic copies of all meeting notices; and

(2) Repeal the requirement to post notices in a central location in a public building.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Department of Land and Natural Resources, one member of the Maui County Council, and one individual.

Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices.

Your Committees find that to meet statutory requirements, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor posts physical copies of meeting notices daily in the chamber of the State Capitol for the public to view. However, posting physical copies no longer serves the function it once did as most people can access notices online in the comfort of their home or office. Furthermore, it is impractical for residents from neighbor islands to fly to Oahu to view the notices. This measure increases efficiency, reduces waste, and ensures public access to notices and agendas.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3171 and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means,

________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair

________________________________ KARL RHOADS, Chair