Report Title:
Sunshine law
Description:
Exempts neighborhood boards from the Sunshine law.
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
2892 |
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TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the sunshine law.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that current interpretations of the Sunshine Law limits neighborhood board member attendance at any meeting discussing business that may come before the board in the foreseeable future. This interpretation prevents neighborhood board members from actively participating in community meetings and activities that can help members better understand their community. Ironically, this severely restricts the ability of board members to gather information and participate in the community.
The legislature also finds that the neighborhood boards serve in an advisory capacity, with non-paid volunteers, and do not have the same level of influence as other boards, councils, or commissions. The purpose of this Act is to exempt neighborhood boards from the Sunshine Law.
SECTION 2. Section 92-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definition of "Board" to read as follows:
"§92-2 Definitions. As used in this part:
(1) "Board" means any agency, board, commission, authority, or committee of the State or its political subdivisions which is created by constitution, statute, rule, or executive order, to have supervision, control, jurisdiction or advisory power over specific matters and which is required to conduct meetings and to take official actions, but shall not include neighborhood boards.
(2) "Chance meeting" means a social or informal assemblage of two or more members at which matters relating to official business are not discussed.
(3) "Meeting" means the convening of a board for which a quorum is required in order to make a decision or to deliberate toward a decision upon a matter over which the board has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power. "
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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