SR188

WHEREAS, all legislators, upon being sworn in as duly elected representatives of the people, are required to take an oath of office; and

WHEREAS, the oath of office is a promise to conduct the business of the State in a manner consistent with the United States Constitution and other federal laws, as well as those of the State; and

WHEREAS, the oath of office states, in part, that elected legislators will conscientiously and impartially discharge their duties as members of the Legislature; and

WHEREAS, the oath of office is, moreover, a promise to the people of Hawaii who elected them that legislators will also report to their constituents their successes and failures following each annual convening of the Legislature and, hopefully, the activities that occur between convenings; and

WHEREAS, while many of the legislators submit information of the year's activities via website notices, newsletters, or other kinds of material specific to their work at the Legislature, no requirement exists for community debriefings where legislators can meet with those who elected them to review what worked in the preceding legislative session and what could be improved; and

WHEREAS, a debrief is not one-sided, is more than an informational question and answer session, and would greatly benefit the community, allowing them opportunity to engage in dialogue that leads to solutions, thus assisting legislators to move their projects forward; and

WHEREAS, regularly scheduled meetings could be promoted as a plus for those running again for office, in effect a promise that, once elected, the legislator will maintain in contact with their constituents at least once at the end of each regular legislative session; and

WHEREAS, through Act 202, Session Laws of Hawaii 1986, codified as section 5-7.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the Aloha Spirit Law, the State provides a standard of behavior that includes specific attributes for conversing with others that would govern interactions during these facilitated gatherings, thus insuring listening and respectful responses; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that legislators are requested to meet with their constituencies at least once after the close of each regular legislative session in a facilitated debrief, using the principles of Aloha Spirit pursuant to Act 202, Session Laws of Hawaii 1986; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Legislators; Ends of Regular Session; Debriefings; Constituencies

THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	188
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII