HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOEAC 141 2024/05/14 (2022-2024) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
OPERATIONS AND EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
DATE: May 14, 2024 Re: Comm. No. 857/Bill No. 160
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawai`i 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs, to which was referred
Bill No. 160, reports as follows:
Bill No. 160, introduced by Member Holeka Goro Inaba and Member Ashley L. Kierkiewicz via
Communication No. 857, dated April 17, 2024, initiates an amendment to Article III, Article VI,
and Article XVI of the Charter of the County of Hawai`i (2022 Edition), relating to Corporation
Counsel.
This bill moves provisions for the Office of the Corporation Counsel currently in Article VI and
under the supervision of the Managing Director into Article III, Legislative Branch, and provides
the County Council the sole authority to appoint and remove the Corporation Counsel.
Members Inaba and Kierkiewicz explained the provisions of the bill, saying that the appointment
of Corporation Counsel would work similarly to that of the County Auditor. The appointment
would be a public process, with committee members representing both the Legislative and
Executive Branches.
Several members wondered what problem this piece of legislation would solve and discussed
alternative options to the bill, including the hiring of a staff attorney who would be employed by
the Office of the County Clerk. The introducers clarified that this bill would not resolve any
pressing issue, but would give more opportunity for input from the Hawai`i County Council.
GOEAC Report No. 141
GOEAC-141 Page 2 May 14,2024
Your Committee on Governmental Operations and External Affairs is not in accord with the
purpose and intent of Bill No. 160, and forwards it to Council with a negative recommendation.
ja
AYES NOES ABS EX Respectfully submitted,
EVANS X
GALIMBA x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS AND
KAGIWADA x EXTE L AFFAIRS
KANEALI`I-KLEINFELDER X I'
KIERKIEWICZ X V
KIMBALL X CINDY EVANS, CHAIR
LEE LOY X GOEAC REPORT NO.• _ 141
VILLEGAS X ADOPTED: JUN 0 5 2024