STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2505

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 3171

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. 3171 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEETING NOTICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Mandate the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the appropriate county clerk's office to ensure access to paper or electronic copies of all meeting notices; and

(2) Repeal the requirement to post notices in a central location in a public building.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor; Department of Land and Natural Resources; one member of the Maui County Council; Society of Professional Journalists, Hawaii Chapter; and one individual.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices and Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that to fulfil its statutory responsibilities, the Office of the Lieutenant Governor posts physical copies of meeting notices daily in the chamber of the State Capitol for the public to view. However, it is impractical for those who live on the neighbor islands to fly to Oahu to view the notices. Additionally, due to increased security measures at the State Capitol and other government facilities, it is unreasonable for residents and interested parties to physically enter a government building to view posted notices. This measure increases efficiency, decrease paper usage, and ensure public access to notices and agendas.

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. 3171 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committees on Judiciary and Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair