STAND. COM. REP. NO. 5

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 438

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fifth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2009

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Education and Housing, to which was referred S.B. No. 438 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETINGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to authorize the Board of Education to file any notice that specifies legislation or legislation-related agenda items no fewer than two calendar days before a meeting during the period from the convening of the Legislature in regular session to adjournment sine die of each regular session, and during any special session of the Legislature.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by one state agency.  A private organization submitted testimony in opposition.  One state agency submitted comments.

     Your Committee finds that the deadline-driven demands of the legislative session often require that the Board of Education take positions or other action on legislation and legislation-related matters in a timely manner.  This measure will provide flexibility in the public notice requirements of chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to enable Board of Education members to participate effectively in the legislative process.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Education and Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 438 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Education and Housing,

____________________________

NORMAN SAKAMOTO, Chair