CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 70

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2019

RE: S.B. No. 335

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 335, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC MEETINGS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to ensure equal access to notice of public meetings.

Your Committee on Conference finds that the state sunshine law, which allows individuals to request mailed hard copies of meeting notices, does not provide the same access to notice of public meetings to individuals with disabilities who lack computer access or cannot use a computer due to a disability. This measure amends existing law related to public meetings and ensures equal access to open government meetings and forums.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Removing language requiring boards to post public meeting notices in an accessible format on an electronic calendar on a website maintained by the State or county;

(2) Removing language specifying that electronic copies of all meeting notices posted by the Lieutenant Governor's office or county clerk's office must be accessible;

(3) Updating the purpose section;

(4) Changing its effective date to upon approval; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 335, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 335, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA Co-Chair	____________________________ LAURA H. THIELEN Chair
____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair