STAND. COM. REP. NO. 965

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1416

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 1416, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to encourage legislative review of government studies, audits, and newly established programs.

Specifically, this measure requires:

(1) A public hearing or informational briefing by the subject matter committee of each legislative chamber on certain audits and studies enacted with an appropriation or adopted by concurrent resolution within one year of the receipt of the study; and

(2) Reports to the Legislature on newly established programs.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of the Auditor and one individual.

Your Committee finds that conducting and completing studies requires a significant investment of time and resources by state agencies. Your Committee further finds that reports resulting from these agencies are often not widely reviewed.

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1416, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1416, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair