HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	138
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the legislative reference bureau to study the implementation of a year-round legislature.

WHEREAS, the constitutionally mandated length of a legislative session is sixty working days per year, generally stretching from the third Wednesday in January until early May; and

WHEREAS, certain facets of community engagement, emergency response, and other operational aspects of the Legislature could be improved by requiring the Legislature to be in session throughout the whole year; and

WHEREAS, a year-round Legislature in Hawaii could provide a more thorough understanding of public sentiment, as lawmakers have increased opportunities to interact with their constituents and stakeholders and analyze community needs in greater detail, which enables them to have a more precise understanding of public opinion on a wide range of social and economic issues; and

WHEREAS, legislatures in the nation with longer legislative sessions are more likely to establish policies that address specific concerns of their state, rather than applying policies from other states and national lobbying organizations; and

WHEREAS, a year-round Legislature would also increase transparency as it would provide lawmakers more time to address statewide issues while also providing more opportunity for public input and engagement; and

WHEREAS, however, a year-long Legislature would require increased staffing and resources; and

WHEREAS, the costs associated with a year-long Legislature have not been studied in depth and there is no understanding of the potential financial burden on taxpayers if the Legislature were to operate year-round; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, the Senate concurring, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to study the implementation of a year-round Legislature, including the effects of a year-round Legislature on staff retention, salary and economic support costs, program costs, and financial ramifications of other forms of employment held by legislators; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its study, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Legislative Reference Bureau; Year-Round Legislature; Study