2022 Hawaii County Charter - Laserfiche WebLink

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(b) Every ordinance of the council shall embrace but one subject, which subject shall be expressed in its title. If an ordinance embraces a subject not expressed in its title, only that subject shall be void. (c) Bills embracing: (1) The fixing of special assessments for the cost of improvements; (2) The appropriation of public funds or authorization of the issuance of general obligation bonds; or (3) The imposition of a duty or penalty on any person, shall pass first reading by a vote taken by ayes and noes, and digests of such bills shall be advertised once in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation in the county and shall also be distributed via an electronic medium, such as the Internet, with ayes and noes, at least three days before final reading by the council. Not less than three copies of such bills shall be filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the county clerk at least three days prior to the final reading thereof. (d) A bill shall not be amended to change its original purpose. An amended bill shall, upon a one-third vote of the entire membership, be laid over for at least one week before final reading. (e) A motion to reconsider made at the time any bill fails to pass final reading shall not be voted upon until after twenty-four hours. (f) Ordinances shall become effective upon approval by the mayor or at such later date as may be specified therein. (g) A bill may incorporate therein any standard technical code or portions thereof by reference. The code, or portions, need not be published in the manner required for ordinances, but not less than three copies thereof shall be filed for use and examination by the public in the office of the county clerk, and notice of the availability of said copies shall be published by the clerk. (h) After enactment, ordinances shall be published once in at least two daily newspapers of general circulation in the county and shall also be distributed via an electronic medium, such as the Internet. Such publication shall be by title only and shall specify the ayes and noes. (1990, Prop. 10, secs. 1 and 2; 2010, Prop. 7, sec. 5 and Prop. 19, secs. 1 and 2.) Section 3-11.Emergency Ordinances. The county council may adopt emergency ordinances to meet public emergencies affecting life, health or property. Such ordinances may not be used to levy taxes, authorize the borrowing of money or to grant, renew or extend franchises. Emergency appropriations may be made pursuant to Section 10-8. Emergency ordinances shall be plainly designated as such and shall contain a declaration describing the emergency in clear and specific terms. Any emergency ordinance may be considered and adopted after one reading, with or without amendment, orbe rejectedat the meeting at which the same is introduced. The affirmative vote of all council members present or by two-thirds of the entire membership shallbe necessary for adoption of such ordinances. Emergency ordinances shall be published in the same manner prescribed for other adopted ordinances and shall become effective upon approval by the mayor or at such later time, preceding automatic repeal, as the same may specify. Amendments to any emergency ordinance shall be adopted in the same manner prescribed for adoption of emergency ordinances. 5