THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

190

TWENTY-SEVENTH LEGISLATURE, 2013

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

Proposed

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  Section 23-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§23-11[]]  New special or revolving funds.  (a)  Within five days after the deadline for the introduction of bills in each legislative session, the clerks of each house of the legislature shall transmit, to the [legislative] auditor for analysis, copies of all legislative bills that were introduced in their respective houses during that session that propose to establish new special or revolving funds.

     (b)  The criteria to be used by the auditor in analyzing each legislative bill shall include[,] but not be limited to[,] the extent to which the fund:

     (1)  [Serves the purpose for which it is being created;] Shows evidence of need by stating the program's purpose, describing the scope, presenting financial information on fees to be charged, sources of projected revenue, and costs; and explains why the program cannot be implemented successfully under the general fund appropriation process; and

     (2)  Reflects a clear link between the [benefit] benefits sought and [changes] charges made upon the program users or beneficiaries [of the program,] or a clear link between the program and the sources of revenue, as opposed to serving primarily as a means to provide the program or users with an automatic means of support [which] that is removed from the normal budget and [appropriations] appropriation process.

Each analysis shall set forth the probable effects of the proposed fund and shall also assess alternative forms of funding.

     (c)  No later than thirty days prior to the adjournment sine die of each legislative session, the [legislative] auditor shall submit the analysis of each transmitted legislative bill to each house of the legislature."

     SECTION 2.  Section 23-12, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§23-12  Review of special, revolving, and trust funds.  (a)  The office of the [state] auditor shall report to the legislature, at each regular session, a review of special, revolving, and trust funds established to provide services rendered by any state department or establishment to other state departments or establishments or to any political subdivision of the State.  The review shall include but not be limited to:

     (1)  An evaluation of the original intent and purpose of each fund, both as expressed by the legislature and as understood by the expending agency;

     (2)  The degree to which each fund achieves the stated and claimed purposes;

     (3)  An evaluation of performance standards established by the agency; and

     (4)  A summary statement reflecting total fund transactions in the preceding five fiscal years, including the fund balance at the beginning of each fiscal year, total deposits and withdrawals, amount of interest earned, total expenditures made from the fund, and the ending fund balance for each fiscal year.

     (b)  Each special, revolving, and trust fund shall be reviewed every five years as follows:

     (1)  Beginning 1994 and every five years thereafter, the auditor shall submit a review of the special, revolving, and trust funds of the department of accounting and general services; the department of agriculture; the department of budget and finance; and the department of land and natural resources;

     (2)  Beginning 1995 and every five years thereafter, the auditor shall submit a review of the special, revolving, and trust funds of the department of the attorney general; the department of business, economic development, and tourism; and the University of Hawaii system;

     (3)  Beginning 1996 and every five years thereafter, the auditor shall submit a review of the special, revolving, and trust funds within the judiciary and of the department of commerce and consumer affairs; the department of Hawaiian home lands; the department of health; and the department of human services;

     (4)  Beginning 1997 and every five years thereafter, the auditor shall submit a review of the special, revolving, and trust funds of the office of the governor; the office of Hawaiian affairs; and the department of education; [and]

     (5)  Beginning 1998 and every five years thereafter, the auditor shall submit a review of the special, revolving, and trust funds of the department of labor and industrial relations; the department of taxation; the department of human resources development; the department of public safety; and all other moneys expended in accordance with section 37-40[.]; and

     (6)  Beginning 2014 and every five years thereafter, the auditor shall submit a review of the special, revolving, and trust funds of the department of transportation and the department of defense."

     SECTION 3.  Section 37-52.3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§37-52.3[]]  Criteria for the establishment and continuance of special funds.  Special funds shall [only] be established only pursuant to an act of the legislature.  The legislature, in establishing or reviewing a special fund to determine whether it should be continued, shall ensure that the special fund:

     (1)  Serves the purpose for which it was originally established;

     (2)  Reflects a clear nexus between the benefits sought and charges made upon the program users or beneficiaries [of the program,] or a clear link between the program and the sources of revenue, as opposed to serving primarily as a means to provide the program or users with an automatic means of support that is removed from the normal budget and appropriation process;

     (3)  Provides an appropriate means of financing for the program or activity; and

     (4)  Demonstrates the capacity to be financially self-sustaining."

     SECTION 4.  Section 37-52.4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§37-52.4[]]  Criteria for the establishment and continuance of revolving funds.  Revolving funds shall only be established pursuant to an act of the legislature.  The legislature, in establishing or reviewing a revolving fund to determine whether it should be continued, shall ensure that the revolving fund:

     (1)  Serves the purpose for which it was originally established;

     (2)  Reflects a clear nexus between the benefits sought and charges made upon the program users or beneficiaries [of the program,] or a clear link between the program and the sources of revenue, as opposed to serving primarily as a means to provide the program or users with an automatic means of support that is removed from the normal budget and appropriation process;

     (3)  Provides an appropriate means of financing for the program or activity; and

     (4)  Demonstrates the capacity to be financially self-sustaining."

     SECTION 5.  Section 37-62, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending the definitions of "revolving fund" and "special funds" to read as follows:

     ""Revolving fund" means a fund from which is paid the cost of goods and services rendered or furnished to or by a state agency and which is replenished through charges made for the goods or services or through transfers from other accounts or funds[.]; provided that the funds are used only when the means of financing is essential to the successful operation of a program or activity and there is a clear link between the program or activity and the sources of revenue dedicated to its support.

     "Special funds" means funds [which] that are dedicated or set aside by law for a specified object or purpose, but excluding revolving funds and trust funds[.]; provided that the funds are used only when the means of financing is essential to the successful operation of a program or activity and there is a clear link between the program or activity and the sources of revenue dedicated to its support."

     SECTION 6.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 7.  This Act shall take effect on June 30, 2013.

 


 


 

Report Title:

Special Funds; Revolving Funds; Auditor

 

Description:

Amends criteria to be used by the auditor in analyzing legislative bills proposing to establish new special or revolving funds.  Clarifies that a special or revolving fund to be established or continued shall reflect a clear nexus between benefits sought and charges made upon program users or beneficiaries or between the program and the sources of revenue.  Requires the auditor to review special funds, as well as revolving and trust funds, of designated governmental entities.  Beginning 2014 and every five years thereafter, requires the auditor to review the special, revolving, and trust funds of the DOT and DOD.

 

 

 

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