STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2504

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2597

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. 2597 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 clarify that the prohibition against board and commission holdover members from holding office beyond the end of the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term of office takes precedence over any conflicting statutes.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from three individuals.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Public Utilities Commission and Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that existing law allows a member of a state board or commission to continue as a holdover member until a successor is nominated and appointed. Your Committee believes that it is imperative that members of boards and commissions are appropriately and timely nominated and appointed to enable boards and commissions to meet and conduct business. However, your Committee finds that no holdover member should serve beyond the second regular legislative session following the expiration of the member's term of office without the advice and consent of the Senate. This measure will clarify that this prohibition takes precedence over any other law to the contrary.

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. 2597 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