THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2708

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that civic engagement is critical for a functioning democracy in the State.  However, the State experiences one of the lowest rates of civic engagement, including voting, in the United States.  Additionally, the State prohibits students under the age of eighteen from voting, serving in elected office, or other civic engagement activities and opportunities afforded to adults.  Engaging students in neighborhood boards or regional community advisory boards provides young adults with new ways to engage their communities and ensure the issues relevant to the State's next generation are considered in community decision-making.

     Accordingly, to increase and assure effective citizen participation in the decisions of government, the purpose of this Act is to:

     (1)  Authorize each public high school in the State to select not more than two students to serve on a neighborhood board or regional community advisory board in the complex area where the public high school is located, if any, to represent the interests of students of their respective school; and

     (2)  Allow the students selected to participate to serve as voting members of the neighborhood boards.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part VII to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§92-    Neighborhood boards; regional community advisory boards; student members; selection.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, each public high school in any county with an established neighborhood board or regional community advisory board may select not more than two students to represent the interests of students at the public high school and young people in the community.  The selected students may participate in neighborhood board or regional community advisory board activities representing the complex area where the public high school is located.

     (b)  Students selected to serve on a neighborhood board or regional community advisory board shall be voting members; provided that student members shall not increase or change the threshold for quorum on the board on which they serve; provided further that students may be counted toward existing quorum for board matters pursuant to section 92-81(d).

     (c)  Students selected to serve on a neighborhood board or regional community advisory board shall commence their term at the first scheduled board meeting following their selection until a replacement student member is selected."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Department of Education; Neighborhood Boards; Regional Community Advisory Boards; Student Representation; Membership; Selection; Quorum; Voting; Permitted Activities; Terms

 

Description:

Requires all public high schools statewide to select not more than two students to represent the interests of students at the public high school and young people in the community on the neighborhood board or regional community advisory board where the public high school is located, if any.  Authorizes students to serve as voting members.  Provides that students may contribute to existing quorum.  Establishes terms for selected students.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.