Bill Text: HI HR119 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Requesting The Legislative Reference Bureau To Study The Year-round Legislature Models Of California, New York, Pennsylvania, And Wisconsin To Clarify The Similarities And Differences In Operations With Respect To Legislative Schedules, Operational Costs, Legislative And Staff Salaries, And Policies Regarding Outside Employment.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-04 - Resolution adopted in final form. [HR119 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-HR119-Amended.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.R. NO. |
119 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024 |
H.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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HOUSE RESOLUTION
REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU TO STUDY the year-round legislature models of California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to clarify the similarities and differences in operations with respect to legislative schedules, operational costs, legislative and staff salaries, and policies regarding outside employment.
WHEREAS, the constitutionally mandated length of a legislative session is sixty working days per year, generally stretching from the third Wednesday in January until early May; and
WHEREAS, certain facets of community engagement, emergency response, and other operational aspects of the Legislature could be improved by requiring the Legislature to be in session throughout the whole year; and
WHEREAS, a year-round Legislature in Hawaii could provide a more thorough understanding of public sentiment, as lawmakers have increased opportunities to interact with their constituents and stakeholders and analyze community needs in greater detail, which enables them to have a more precise understanding of public opinion on a wide range of social and economic issues; and
WHEREAS, legislatures in the nation with longer legislative sessions are more likely to establish policies that address specific concerns of their state, rather than applying policies from other states and national lobbying organizations; and
WHEREAS, a year-round Legislature would also increase transparency as it would provide lawmakers more time to address statewide issues while also providing more opportunity for public input and engagement; and
WHEREAS, however, a year-long Legislature would require increased staffing and resources; and
WHEREAS, the costs associated with a year-long Legislature have not been studied in depth and there is no understanding of the potential financial burden on taxpayers if the Legislature were to operate year-round; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2024, that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to study the year-round legislature models of California, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin to clarify the similarities and differences in operations with respect to legislative schedules, operational costs, legislative and staff salaries, and policies regarding outside employment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislative Reference Bureau is requested to submit a report of its study, including findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than forty-five days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2025; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Legislative Reference Bureau.
Legislative Reference Bureau; Year-Round Legislature; Study
