Report Title:

Legislative Procedures; Legislative Biennium; Bills

Description:

Restricts the introduction of bills proposing statutory amendments and new laws to the first year of each fiscal biennium.  Reserves the second year of each fiscal biennium for introduction of fiscal measures, emergency measures, and constitutional amendments.  Also requires the legislature in the second year to review existing statutes and session laws for possible repeal or amendment.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	409
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"Part

LEGISLATIVE PROCEDURES

"§21‑    Legislative sessions; introduction of bills.  (a) The first year of a legislative biennium shall be limited to the introduction and consideration of bills to amend, repeal, or enact statutes; provided that bills may carry over to the next regular session as provided by law.

     (b)  The second year of a legislative biennium shall be limited to:

     (1)  The introduction and consideration of bills of a fiscal nature, emergency measures, and constitutional amendments;

     (2)  The consideration of bills, carried over from the immediately preceding year; and

     (3)  The consideration of bills repealing or amending existing laws that are obsolete, redundant, conflicting, or ineffective; provided that the legislative reference bureau shall submit a report to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session in the second year of each biennium to suggest possible statutory repeals or amendments for purposes of this paragraph; provided further that the executive departments, administrative offices, and agencies of the State shall assist the legislative reference bureau for purposes of the report to the legislature; and provided further that, with regard to ineffective laws, if an existing law is determined to be ineffective by an executive department, administrative office, or agency of the State, the legislative reference bureau shall report on that determination without need for further study or analysis, unless the legislative reference bureau disagrees with the determination."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by designating sections 21-1 to 21-19 as follows:

"PART I.  INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEES"

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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