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REPORT OF THE <br />COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL <br />OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS <br />DATE: December 19, 2023 <br />PLACE: Council Chambers <br />Kailua-Kona, Hawaii <br />TIME: 9:52 a.m. <br />Council Chair and Members <br />Hawaii County Council <br />Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br />Re: Comm. No. 627/Bill No. 109 <br />Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred <br />Bill No. 109, reports as follows: <br />Bill No. 109, introduced by Council Members Holeka G. Inaba and Rebecca Villegas via <br />Communication No. 627, dated November 20, 2023, initiates an amendment to amend Article XIII, <br />Section 13-8 of the Hawaii County Charter (2022 Edition), relating to term of office of department <br />heads. <br />This bill proposes to revise the County Charter to require the Mayor to appoint department heads <br />within 30 days of taking office and within 60 days of any vacancy occurring during the Mayor's <br />term of office, and further that the department head shall not take office until confirmed by the <br />County Council. <br />Member Inaba explained the provisions contained within the bill. Member Villegas shared how her <br />experience with the most recent mayoral transition justified this proposed Charter amendment. <br />Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz asked Corporation Counsel Elizabeth Strance to clarify whether the <br />term of office of the Corporation Counsel extends beyond that of the appointing Mayor, which the <br />Corporation Counsel affirmed. <br />Member Heather L. Kimball inquired how the bill incorporated the positions of deputies and <br />assistants, and wondered if the timeframe for confirmation could be shortened from 60 to 45 days. <br />Member Inaba clarified that those positions are under the appointing authority of the respective <br />directors. <br />Member Michelle M. Galimba stated her opposition to the bill. <br />Managing Director Lee Lord provided comments of the bill, including his concern that the outgoing <br />director and deputies might not elect to stay in their position past the term of office of the Mayor <br />who had appointed them, leaving those positions vacant until the Council had time to confirm the <br />new Mayor's appointees. Corporation Counsel stated that that potential circumstance would have to <br />be investigated further. <br />GOEAC Report No. 98 <br />