HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GRC 013 03/08/2012 2010-2012 REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS
DATE: March 8, 2012 Re: Comm. 587/Bill 192
PLACE: Council Chambers
Hawai`i County Building
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawai`i
TIME: 3:44 p.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawai`i County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Relations,to which was referred Bill 192, reports as follows:
Bill 192,transmitted by Council Member Pete Hoffmann via Communication No. 587, dated
February 13, 2012,recommends a Bill for an Ordinance Initiating an Amendment to Article III,
Section 3-17, of the Hawai`i County Charter(2010 Edition),Relating to the Redistricting
Commission.
Mr. Hoffmann stated that this Charter amendment would help the County's credibility with the
public. He stated that voter turnout is less than 40%of the registered voters and there is an
undertone of people who have lost faith in what government does. Mr. Hoffmann informed the
Committee that the Honolulu Charter has similar restrictions placed on members of both the
Redistricting and Reapportionment Commissions. The Charter amendment would allow voters
to decide if members of the Redistricting Commission should be required to wait two years
before running for County Council.
Mr. Ikeda supported the intent of Bill 192 and asked why not require Commissioners to wait four
years. He also wanted to see the effective date specified more clearly, and that it would not take
effect for the upcoming election cycle.
Mr. Hoffmann explained that the two-year provision is what the Honolulu Charter mandates. He
further reiterated that this will only come about as a result of the vote in the 2012 General
Election, so anyone elected to the Council would not be affected because it wouldn't apply until
after the 2021 Redistricting Commission.
Ms. Ford stated her support for Bill 192, adding the importance of preventing the perception of a
Commissioner designing a district that would benefit them personally, as this would be
considered gerrymandering. Ms. Ford agreed that there should be a start date on the Bill and
recommends adding language"starting with the 2021 election cycle".
GRC Report No. 13
GRC-13 Page 2 Comm. 587/Bill 192
Your Committee on Governmental Relations is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill 192
and recommends its passage on first reading.
ke
AYES NOES A&E EX Respectfully submitted,
BLAS X
FORD X COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
HOFFMANN x LATIONS
IKEDA X
ONISHI X
X i' Ali
SMART x K. ANGEL PILAG ,CHA
YAGONG X GRC REPORT N . 13
YOSHIMOTO X ADOPTED: APR 0 4 2012