STAND. COM. REP. NO. 548

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 246

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 246 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO GOVERNMENT,"

 

beg leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish the state government realignment commission to periodically review the state executive branch's departments, divisions, and agencies, including functions and services, and submit its findings and recommendations for greater modernization, transparency, and accountability to the Legislature.  

 

     Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Department of Accounting and General Services.

 

     Your Committees find that there is a need to modernize state government to meet the current needs of society.  Your Committees further find that the current generation of Hawaii residents have not only shown a lack of public support for government, but also believe that the State needs to be more modernized, transparent, and accountable.  Your Committees note that it is unusual for the Senate to advise and consent on board and commission members appointed by the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

 

     Your Committees have amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Specifying that only the members appointed by the Governor shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 246, as amended herein, and recommend that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 246, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Government Operations and Judiciary,

 

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair

 

________________________________

SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair