Bill Text: HI SR25 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Senate Rules; Amendment; Public Access

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-21 - (S) Offered. [SR25 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SR25-Introduced.html

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THE SENATE	S.R. NO.	25
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

amending the rules of the senate of the twenty-fifth legislature of the state of hawaii to facilitate PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND an open legislative process.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, despite recent progress in efforts to make it easier for citizens to participate in the legislative process, many people still find it difficult to participate; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is especially difficult for working people and neighbor island residents to find the time and resources to participate in the legislative process; and

 

     WHEREAS, the Senate wishes to ensure that the legislative process facilitates the access and uncomplicated participation by all citizens; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, that the Senate Rules are amended by adding a new rule to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

 

Rule   Public Posting of Amendments to Measures.

 

     Any amendment that is proposed for bills, concurrent resolutions, or resolutions shall be made available for public review posted on the Legislature's public website within twenty-four hours;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following Senate Rules be amended as follows:

 

     1.  Rule 21 be amended to read:

 

     "Rule 21 Meetings of Committees.

 

     Meetings, including decision-making sessions, of leadership committees appointed by the President, and Standing Committees shall be public provided that meetings in executive session may be allowed in such exceptional circumstances when committee discussion could unfairly damage the reputation of individuals or where there is a legal question concerning a bill.

 

     Notice of meetings and decision-making sessions shall include the number and title of the bills or resolutions, and brief descriptions and committee referrals of each of the subject matters to be covered, and shall be publicly posted by [first] the referral committees at least 72 hours before their meetings [and by subsequent referral committees at least 48 hours before their meetings, no later than 4:00 p.m. on the last work day of the week, provided that these notice requirements may be waived with the approval of the President upon good cause shown].  In giving 72 hours notice, Saturdays, Sundays, and state holidays shall be excluded.  The 72 hour notice requirement is waived for the initial decision-making meeting for short form bills.  Further, this notice requirement may be waived with the approval of the President upon good cause shown after a recorded note approving the waiver.

 

     No committee shall sit during the time when the Senate is actually in session without first securing the approval of the President, except Conference Committees that may sit at any time.

 

     As practicable, committees shall schedule their meetings at times and at places as are convenient for attendance by the general public, and in coordination with other committees of the House or Senate, shall endeavor to hold joint meetings and public hearings on matters of mutual interest.

 

     The meetings of a Conference Committee shall be conducted as agreed upon by the members of the Conference Committee.  Conference Committee meetings and decision-making sessions shall be public.  Public notice of Conference Committee meetings shall be given to the extent practicable.

 

     2.  Rule 25, paragraph (3), be amended to read:

 

(3)  The report shall also include a reference that testimony on the measure is available electronically on the Legislature's website, a list of all agencies, organizations, or other entities that testified on the measure and whether that testimony supported, opposed, or commented the measure, and a brief summary of the positions taken in the testimonies submitted;

 

and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate Rule material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken and new Senate Rule material is underscored; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the amendments made to the Senate Rules by this Resolution take effect upon the adoption of this Resolution.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	____________________________

Report Title: 

Senate Rules; Amendment; Public Access