STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2534

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                  

 

RE:    S.B. No. 2301

       S.D. 1

 

 

 

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 2301 entitled:

 

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS,"

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to:

 

     (1)  Require the Governor to appoint an individual to fill a vacancy within all boards and commissions within one hundred eighty days of the vacancy;

 

     (2)  Limit the term of holdover appointments to the end of the legislative session following the expiration of the member's term;

 

     (3)  Require department heads to inform the Governor of any vacancy in any board or commission; and

 

     (4)  Conform requirements regarding holdover members of the Hawaii Tourism Authority to the requirements regarding holdover members of state boards and commissions.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

 

     Your Committee finds that the sound operation of state boards and commissions requires the timely appointment of members.  Your Committee further finds that there are concerns regarding extended board and commission vacancies, as well as inconsistent interpretations of statutory authority regarding the Governor's interim appointment power.  Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure promotes the sound operation of state boards and commissions by facilitating timely nominations and appointments of board and commission members and clarifying procedures regarding holdover members.

 

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Inserting language providing an alternate method of appointment for certain board and commission members under certain circumstances;

 

     (2)  Inserting language to expire the terms of certain holdover members of boards and commissions upon approval of this measure;

 

     (3)  Amending section 1 to reflect its amended purpose;

 

     (4)  Inserting a severability clause; and

 

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

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2301, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2301, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,

 

 

 

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SHARON MORIWAKI, Chair