Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2404, H.D. 1, entitled:

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allows two or more members of a board, but less than the number of members that would constitute a quorum, to discuss their individual positions relating to official board business at meetings of other boards or at public hearings of the Legislature, and to attend and participate in discussions at presentations, including seminars, conventions, and community meetings, that include matters relating to official business.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Information Practices, Honolulu Corporation Counsel, Hawaii State Teachers Association, Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, and Ewa Neighborhood Board. Testimony in opposition was received from the League of Women Voters and one individual.

Your Committees find that this measure addresses a common predicament for members of boards and commissions who may be hesitant to attend meetings of other boards and presentations. A prime example is county council members who do not attend neighborhood board meetings for fear of violating the sunshine law.

Your Committees believe that difficulties have arisen from a technical and narrow interpretation and application of existing law which were never anticipated or intended by the enactment of the original statute.

Your Committees have amended this measure by:

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Transportation and Government Operations and Intergovernmental Affairs that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2404, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2404, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.