STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1021

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 335

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 335, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to ensure equal access for persons with disabilities to notices of public meetings.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Affirmative Action Committee of the Oahu County Committee, and O‘ahu County Committee on Legislative Priorities of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices and Hawai‘i Civil Rights Commission.

Your Committee finds that all community members, including persons with disabilities, should have equal access to open government meetings and forums. Your Committee also finds that under Hawaii's existing sunshine law, individuals can request mailed hard copies of meeting notices, but this method does not provide the same access and rights as that of individuals who can access meeting notices electronically. This measure takes steps to ensure persons with disabilities have equal access to hard copies of public meeting notices, either by request through the mail or through postings at the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the office of the appropriate board or commission. By refining the sunshine law and mandating more stringent requirements for public meeting notices, all community members, including persons with disabilities, should have equal access to public meetings and the ability for equal participation in the governmental process that influences decisions shaping the quality of life for all residents in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

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

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair