HB1138 SD1 SSCR1548

STAND. COM. REP. NO.1548

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2001

RE: H.B. No. 1138

S.D. 1

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1138, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SUBMISSION OF REPORTS TO THE LEGISLATURE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to improve legislative oversight over the executive and judicial branches of government, and public access to agency reports.

To accomplish these objectives, this bill:

(1) Requires government agencies to make such required reports available in printed form and be posted on the designated central state website or the internet in an easily locatable manner;

(2) Requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to develop a system to track and monitor government agencies' annual reports and other reports required or requested to be submitted to the Legislature; and

(3) Requires government agencies to list all mandated reports that are included when an agency submits a consolidated report to the Legislature and the time period covered by the particular report if different from the period covered by the consolidated report.

Your Committee finds that there are more than two hundred annual reports required by law to be submitted by government agencies to the Legislature. Each legislative session also generates requests for additional reports or studies. Because no system currently exists to monitor agency compliance, legislative requests are sometimes ignored or responses may be delayed. Establishing standardized processes to monitor and track reports will serve the Legislature's informational and reference needs. Of equal importance, requiring government agencies to post their reports on the internet will also ensure that the public has convenient and timely access to the information. Your Committee believes that this measure improves government efficiency and productivity, as well as public access and citizen involvement.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1138, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

		____________________________ BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair