HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1706

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to government transparency.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that Hawaii has made efforts to aid government transparency, such as the implementation of Hawaii Open Data; however, Hawaii still lacks a single comprehensive financial system with a public facing component.  Hawaii Open Data has a broad scope but sparse use, leading to limited and outdated data.  Much of the data content has not been updated since it was first created in 2019.  In contrast, New York has implemented a Statewide Financial System based on enterprise resource planning which is accessible to customers, vendors, government agencies, and anyone with a New York state ID.  Oregon has adopted a similarly transparent and user-friendly system, administered by the Statewide Accounting and Reporting Services.  It is time Hawaii government catches up with technology.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the legislative reference bureau to conduct a sunrise analysis to impart the legislative intent that the State must understand the available technology that could be adopted to implement a more efficient and transparent statewide financial database.  The intent of this measure is to lay the groundwork for the establishment of a single statewide financial system with a public facing component.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  By September 1, 2025, the legislative reference bureau shall conduct and complete a sunrise analysis to assist the legislature in determining the most appropriate framework or model for the establishment of a statewide financial database for all State entities.  The study should also address barriers to implementing a new database, costs to be incurred, and any necessary safeguard measures.  The sunrise analysis shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  A comparative analysis of other state financial database systems, including a review of the current systems in use in Hawaii.  In the analysis of each model, the legislative reference bureau shall consider the following:

          (A)  Scope of data covered;

          (B)  Which government entities are included;

          (C)  Which, if any, other groups may use the service;

          (D)  Ease of user interface;

          (E)  Transparency and public availability of data;

          (F)  Administration;

          (G)  Costs of implementation; and

          (H)  Barriers to transitioning to a new platform; and

     (2)  Hawaii-based cost breakdowns by model on projected costs of implementation.

     (b)  The legislative reference bureau shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than September 1, 2025.

     (c)  The legislative reference bureau shall be authorized to request and obtain any data from relevant state departments and agencies necessary to conduct the sunrise analysis.

     SECTION 3.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $         or    per cent.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that the appropriation made for this Act is necessary to serve the public interest and to meet the need addressed by this Act.

     SECTION 4.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $       or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the legislative reference bureau to conduct the sunrise analysis pursuant to section 2 of this Act.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 5.  The legislative reference bureau may contract the services of a consultant with the funds appropriated in section 4 of this Act.  The contracting of services under this Act shall be exempt from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

Minority Caucus Package; Database; General Fund Exceeded

 

Description:

Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to conduct a study comparing other state's financial databases with Hawaii's current systems to assess the feasibility of adopting a single, more transparent and efficient statewide system.  Appropriates funds exceeding the expenditure ceiling.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.