STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2497

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2292

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2292 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal the exemption afforded to ex officio members of boards and commissions from statutory provisions governing the selection and terms of board and commission members.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, and Board of Regents of the University of Hawaiʻi.

Your Committee finds that governmental boards and commissions provide up-to-date information, critical thinking, and analyses to the decision-makers of the government entity that they advise. Your Committee further finds that ex officio board members hold expertise in a particular area that can be helpful to boards and commissions in carrying out their duties. This measure ensures that all members of boards and commissions are selected pursuant to an equal and standardized process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2292 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

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

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ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair