2021-09-09 Redistricting Commission minutes (2nd Session)

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5. Communication 7: proposed amendment to 2021 Hawaiʻi County Redistricting Commission Rules of Procedure VI, Voting From Commissioner Stephen Lopez, proposing new language for section VI. c.; Abstentions KOSSOW: Okay, here comes third times a charm. We’re moving over to Communication number 7, proposed amendment to the 2021 Hawaiʻi County Redistricting Commission Rules of Procedure. And this was created by Commissioner Stephen Lopez after proposing the language for section VI. c. under Abstentions. I would like to recognize Mr. Lopez. LOPEZ: Thank you very much, Chair. I proposed this as a means of not being put in a quick position to contemplate a decision when you’re sitting on the fence or need a little bit more time or consideration. It does follow County Council protocols and it gives just a little bit more time for feedback and also for consideration. So, it’s not something strange. It’s not something that’s not used. And I just thought that this Commission could use the same process. Thank you. KOSSOW: Thank you, Mr. Lopez. Is there any questions regarding the Communication? MELLON-LACEY: Mr. Chair? HUSTACE: I have a question, Chair. KOSSOW: I’m going to go over to Corporation Counsel first, Mr. Hustace. MELLON-LACEY: Thank you for acknowledging me. One thing I wanted to point out is that our Rules, if we do want to make this change to the Rules, our Rules and the statutory provision for changing rules, do not coincide. Because I think your Rules say that you can change/amend rules, yeah this in XVI: These Rules may be amended at a regular meeting of the Commission by an affirmative majority vote of the entire membership of the Commission, provided that at least six (6) days advance notice of such amendment(s) and meeting are first given to each member. Okay, so that happened, however, when you look at Hawaiʻi Revised Statute 91-3ʻs Procedure for Adoption, Amendment or Repeal of Rules, it requires that we give at least thirty days' notice of what the proposed change is and have a public hearing so that the public would know what the proposed change was and would have a chance to weigh in on it. And we haven't done that because this didn't come out until I believe the 3rd. Am I correct, Dennis? When this was communicated? It wasn't posted in advance or anything. KAUKA: The proposed Rules change? MELLON-LACEY: Yes. KAUKA: It was posted with the agenda, as part of the agenda packet. 38