STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3269

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2482

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 2482, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO MEETING NOTICES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to repeal the statutory requirement for:

(1) Boards to file a copy of the notice of any regular, special, emergency, rescheduled meeting, or any executive meeting when anticipated in advance, with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or appropriate county clerk's office; and

(2) The Office of the Lieutenant Governor or appropriate county clerk's office to timely post paper or electronic copies in a central location in a public building.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Big Island Press Club, Public First Law Center, All Hawaii News, and Albatross News.

Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and Office of Information Practices.

Your Committee finds that section 92-7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, ensures that residents and interested parties have a variety of methods to view board and commission notices and agendas. Recognizing that Hawaii is a State comprised of islands with numerous geographical barriers and the increased security measures at the State Capitol and other government facilities, this measure increases efficiency and decreases paper usage, while ensuring public access to notices and agendas.

Your Committee acknowledges the concerns raised in testimony that some of the provisions of this measure may violate the Americans with Disabilities Act. Accordingly, this measure needs to be amended to address this issue.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Restoring language in existing statute that:

(A) Requires boards to file a copy of their notice of meeting with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the appropriate county clerk's office and retain a copy of proof of filing the notice; and

(B) Allows a copy of the notice of meeting to be provided to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the appropriate county clerk's office via electronic mail to an electronic mail address designated by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the appropriate county clerk's office, as applicable;

(2) Inserting language that requires the Office of the Lieutenant Governor or the appropriate clerk's office to ensure access to paper or electronic copies of all meeting notices; and

(3) 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 Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2482, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2482, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

________________________________

ANGUS L.K. MCKELVEY, Chair