STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2633

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2830

S.D. 1

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. 2830 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEETINGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to amend the definitions of "board", "board business", and "meeting" within the state's Sunshine Law to expand the scope of the law to include state and county policymaking groups, including groups created by emergency proclamations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii; Society of Professional Journalists, Hawaii Chapter; and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices, Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, and Public First Law Center.

Your Committee finds that existing law does not make it clear whether groups created by emergency proclamation are subject to the Sunshine Law. This measure will increase access to government and opportunities for public participation by clarifying that the Sunshine Law's application to boards created by executive order also includes those created by emergency proclamation.

Your Committee notes that the intent of this measure is not to target businesses. Rather, the information being exchanged and deliberated is of critical public importance, especially in times of disasters, and these groups hold incredible sway that will potentially impact county spending and policy.

Your Committee has amended this measure by inserting language clarifying that, as used in the state Sunshine Law, "board" includes state boards and policymaking groups established pursuant to any federal constitutional provision.

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. 2830, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2830, S.D. 1, 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