STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2993

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2038

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2038 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOARD MEMBERS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to permit two or more board members to attend a State of the City, State of the County, State of the State, and State of the Judiciary address without violating "sunshine" laws.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Information Practices, Office of the Mayor of the County of Hawai‘i, one member of the Maui County Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that the ceremonial and informative State of the City, State of the County, State of the State, and State of the Judiciary addresses are a necessary function of public service. Board members should be able to freely attend such events for the dual benefit that board members are seen partaking in civic events, and that they are able to hear an important speech. This measure would specifically allow multiple board members to attend specified largely ceremonial events provided that they do not discuss potential board business between themselves and no commitment to vote is made.

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. 2038, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2038, S.D. 1.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair