Report Title:

Historic Preservation Officer

 

Description:

Provides for the establishment of a search committee within 30 days of a vacancy in the position of Historic Preservation Officer, that will conduct a nationwide search for the most qualified candidates for the position.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1953

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to historic preservation.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the state historic preservation division is entrusted with protecting, preserving restoring, and maintaining the cultural history and rich heritage of the people of Hawaii.  To perform its mission, the division must undertake a broad range of activities, some of which require considerable expertise, including:

(1)  The development of an on-going program of historical, architectural, and archaeological research and development;

(2)  The acquisition and preservation of historic or cultural properties;

(3)  The development of a statewide survey and inventory identifying and documenting historic properties, aviation artifacts, and burial sites;

(4)  The preparation, review, and revision of a state historic preservation plan, including budget requirements and land use recommendations;

(5)  Application for and receipt of gifts, grants, technical assistance, and other funding from public and private sources;

(6)  Coordination of activities of the counties in accordance with the state plan for historic preservation;

(7)  Stimulation of public interest in historic preservation;

(8) Coordination of the evaluation and management of burial sites, and acquisition of burial sites to be held in trust; and

(9)  Regulation of archaeological activities throughout the state.

In addition, the state historic preservation officer, who administers the division, must serve as state liaison officer for relations with the federal government and the respective states involving historic preservation matters.

The legislature finds that to adequately and successfully administer the diverse programs of the historic preservation division, the state historic preservation officer should have qualifications that include some expertise or experience in one or more of the areas of history, archaeology, and architecture, as well as in the administration of far-reaching historic preservation programs, or similar programs.

     The purpose of this Act is to ensure that the programs of the state historic preservation division are administered by an individual with appropriate expertise and experience, by providing for the establishment of a search committee within thirty days of any vacancy in the position of state historic preservation officer, that will conduct a nationwide search for the most qualified candidates for the position.

     SECTION 2.  Section 6E-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§6E-5[]]  State historic preservation officer.  (a)  The governor shall appoint a state historic preservation officer[, and] from the list of five candidates nominated as provided in subsection (b).  The governor may appoint the officer without regard to chapter 76, who shall be responsible for the comprehensive historic preservation program and who shall be the state liaison officer for the conduct of relations with the federal government and the respective states with regard to matters of historic preservation.  The state historic preservation officer shall be appointed on the basis of professional competence and experience in the field of historic preservation and shall be placed in the department for the purposes of the state program.

     (b)  At any time when the position of state historic preservation officer becomes vacant, a committee shall be constituted within thirty days of the vacancy to conduct a search for qualified candidates to fill the position.  The committee shall be composed of five individuals with knowledge of historical, architectural, or archaeological research,  development, or preservation, or with experience in the administration of these or comparable programs.  The governor shall appoint the members of the committee from a list of fourteen candidates, seven to be nominated by the president of the senate, and seven to be nominated by the speaker of the house of representatives.

     The committee shall conduct a nationwide search for qualified candidates.  Within ninety days of the date when the position of state historic preservation officer becomes vacant, the committee shall submit a list of five candidates to the governor."


     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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