STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3492

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    H.C.R. No. 121

 

 

 

Honorable Donna Mercado Kim

President of the Senate

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2014

State of Hawaii

 

Madam:

 

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 121 entitled:

 

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE ATTACHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION PRACTICES ON A PERMANENT BASIS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Legislative Reference Bureau to study the feasibility of establishing the Office of Information Practices on a permanent basis, administratively attached to the Department of Accounting and General Services.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services and the Office of Information Practices.  The Legislative Reference Bureau submitted comments on the measure.

 

     Your Committee finds that the Office of Information Practices was established by Act 262, Session Laws of Hawaii 1988.  The Office of Information Practices administers the Uniform Information Practices Act, codified as chapter 92F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which requires open access to government records, and the Sunshine Law, codified as chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, which requires open public meetings.  Your Committee also finds that, currently, the Office of Information Practices is temporarily attached to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for administrative purposes.  Your Committee believes that finding an appropriate principal department to permanently attach the Office of Information Practices will facilitate stability and continuity in legal opinions and guidelines affecting state and county agencies, as well as promote independence from undue political influence.

 

     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 concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 121, and recommends its adoption.

 

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

 

 

 

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair