STAND. COM. REP. NO. 637

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 1446

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2019

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1446 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to require the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees to approve or disapprove the Administrator's appointment of, and have a direct supervisory role over, the chief financial officer, director of human resources, and attorney.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Hoomanapono Political Action Committee, Ka Lāhui Hawaii Political Action Committee, and one individual.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Beneficiary Advocacy and Empowerment Committee.

 

     Your Committee finds that every government agency must foster a culture of accountability at all levels of the organization in order to successfully achieve its mission and serve its constituents.  This measure provides additional oversight options to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs Board of Trustees to create a robust system of checks and balances within the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Adding language to allow the Board of Trustees to delegate direct oversight authority over the chief financial officer, director of human resources, and attorney, to mitigate any potential constitutional conflict; and

 

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purpose of clarity and consistency.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1446, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1446, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Hawaiian Affairs,

 

 

 

________________________________

MAILE S.L. SHIMABUKURO, Chair