STAND. COM. REP. NO. 874

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 405

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 405, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARD MEETINGS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

(1) Allow neighborhood boards to discuss and receive information from third-party reports by any government official not included in a publicly noticed agenda; and

(2) Require boards to make decisions on matters raised by third-party reports from any government official at a later meeting where the agenda gives notice of decision‑making on the matter.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Kalihi Palama Neighborhood Board No. 15, Waikiki Neighborhood Board, and one individual.

Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that neighborhood boards serve as a forum for the public and leaders to receive valuable information, engage in discourse, and reach communal decisions. Much of this information comes from government officials, and their reports are critical to informing community responses. This measure will allow neighborhood boards to more adeptly address local issues as they arise, while maintaining the balance between practicality and transparency, by allowing boards to discuss issues raised by third-party government officials that were not properly noticed on a public agenda but requiring the delay of decision-making to a meeting when the matter is noticed on a public agenda.

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. 405, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair