HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	72
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the department of the attorney general.

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

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 28, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§28-  Legislative division. (a)  There is established a legislative division within the department of the attorney general to administer and render state legal services, pursuant to section 26-7, 28-3, or 28-4 or any other law, that the department may provide to the legislature, its respective chambers, its committees, one or more of its individual members in connection with their public duties, or the legislature's attached service agencies.

(b)  Notwithstanding sections 26-38 and 26-39 or any other provision to the contrary, the attorney general shall not be authorized to abolish the legislative division.

(c)  Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect, in any manner, the employment or retaining of any attorney by an office or agency of the legislature as authorized under section 28-8.3."

     SECTION 2.  The attorney general shall:

     (1)  Prepare a status report on the attorney general's progress in implementing this Act, including descriptions and analyses of:

         (A)  Activities and accomplishments;

         (B)  Any issues or problems encountered; and

         (C)  Any requirements for additional staff and resources;

     (2)  Evaluate the actual and projected outcomes of this Act regarding:

         (A)  The powers, duties, functions, and processes of the department of the attorney general as they pertain to legal services provided to the legislature and any secondary effects upon the legal services the department provides to other state entities; and

         (B)  The department's organizational viability, operational efficiency, and financial condition; and

     (3)  Review the overall organizational structure of the department of the attorney general and make recommendations on any necessary restructuring of the department's divisions, offices, or positions to ensure the efficient functioning of the department.

     The attorney general shall submit a report of the attorney general's findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2018.

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $            or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018-2019 to establish the legislative division within the department of the attorney general.

     The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Attorney General; Legislative Division; Legal Services for the Legislature

Description:

Establishes the Legislative Division within the AG to provide legal services to the Legislature.  Requires the AG to submit a report to the Legislature on the progress of implementing the Division, its projected outcomes, and recommendations to amend the organizational structure of the AG.  Makes an appropriation.

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