STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1506

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 82

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 82, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT OPERATION AND POLICY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require each new member of a board or commission to participate in an orientation and training session with the head of the department or agency with jurisdiction over that member's board or commission or a designee of the head of the department; and

(2) Require each department and agency to update its members on information to supplement their initial training at least once per calendar year.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Department of Human Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Accounting and General Services, and Hawaii Employer‑Union Health Benefits Trust Fund.

Your Committee finds that the board member selection process provides eligibility requirements that include subject matter proficiency and experience.  This process has yielded governance boards whose members are knowledgeable, insightful, and decisive in providing invaluable policy guidance to government agencies.  This measure ensures that new board and commission members have appropriate training to effectively fulfill their responsibilities.

Your Committee has amended this measure by clarifying language requiring new member training regarding the mission, roles, responsibilities, laws, programs, and procedures relevant to the work of the board or commission.

Your Committee notes that, in the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' testimony before your Committee, the Department requested that support be given for online and on-demand training, to be used where feasible, to reduce travel and per diem costs, as well as to minimize inconvenience to board members.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 82, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 82, S.D. 2, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair