HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunication No. 2024-05 S.B. 2058THE SENATE
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII
S B. NO. 2058
JAN 1 7 2024
A BILL FOR AN ACT
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RELATING TO NEIGHBORHOOD BOARDS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION I. The legislature finds that county neighborhood
and advisory boards provide local communities with opportunities
to participate in government. Likewise, community outreach
boards serve as an intermediary between residents and government
leaders to understand local concerns, gather and disseminate
information, and create solutions in a collaborative
environment. As community outreach boards serve as a grassroots
tool, ensuring open access to board activities is essential to
thriving communities statewide.
Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to:
(1) Define "community outreach board"; and
(2) Include community outreach boards in existing
provisions of the sunshine law that relate to
neighborhood boards.
SECTION 2. Section 92-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted
and to read as follows:
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Communication No. 2024-05
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""Community outreach board" means a board established to
serve in a community advisory capacity under a county commission
or a county department."
SECTION 3. Section 92-81, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended as follows:
1. By amending its title and subsections (a) and (b) to
read:
" [4] §92-81 [9-] Neighborhood board; community outreach
board; notice and agenda; public input; quorum. (a) [Any
contrary provision in this chapter notwithstanding,]
Notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary,
the provisions of this part shall apply to neighborhood boards
and community outreach boards overseen by a neighborhood
commission of the city and county of Honolulu, and [sueh] other
neighborhood boards and community outreach boards as may be
created in other counties and overseen by a county-based
commission[—] or county-based department.
(b) The agenda required to be included in written public
notice of a [neighborhood] board meeting may include an
opportunity for the board to receive public input on issues not
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specifically noticed for consideration at the forthcoming
meeting."
2. By amending subsection (d) to read;
"(d) A quorum for a meeting of a neighborhood board or
community outreach board shall be required for:
(1) Conducting official board business;
(2) Discussions prior to and related to voting; and
(3) Voting required to validate an act of the board as
part of official board business.
A neighborhood board or community outreach board may receive
information or testimony on a matter of official board business
without a quorum; provided that the board shall not make a
decision on the issue. The board members, at the next meeting
of the neighborhood board, shall report the matters presented as
information or testimony."
SECTION 4. Section 92-82, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows;
"§92-82 Permitted interactions of neighborhood board and
community outreach board members. (a) Neighborhood board and
community outreach board members may attend or organize meetings
or presentations [located on Oahu] on matters relating to
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official board business; provided that the meeting or
presentation is open to the public, does not charge a fee or
require registration, and is not specifically and exclusively
organized for or directed toward members of the board; and
provided further that no member makes a commitment to vote on
any of the issues discussed.
(b) Neighborhood board and community outreach board
members who attend meetings or presentations allowed by
subsection (a) may ask questions relating to official board
business of persons other than fellow board members."
SECTION 5. Section 92-83, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended to read as follows:
"[4]§92-83[^] Neighborhood board meeting; community
outreach board meeting; unanticipated events; public interest.
An unanticipated event that occurs after public notice of a
neighborhood board or community outreach board meeting has been
issued, but before the scheduled meeting, may be the subject of
discussion at the scheduled meeting if timely action on the
matter is necessary for public health, welfare, and safety. At
a duly noticed meeting, a board may take action on an
unanticipated event in the public interest that is not on the
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1 agenda in the same manner as if the board had held an emergency
2 meeting to take action on the issue, pursuant to section 92-8."
3 SECTION 6. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed
4 and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.
5 SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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S.B. NO.XO^
Report Title:
Neighborhood Boards; Community Outreach Boards; Sunshine Law;
Public Meetings; Permitted Interactions
Description:
Defines community outreach board to mean a board established to
serve in a community advisory capacity under a county commission
or a county department. Includes community outreach boards
under existing provisions of the Sunshine Law regarding
neighborhood boards. Authorizes neighborhood board or community
outreach board members to organize meetings or presentations
related to official board business statewide.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
2024-0160 SB SMA.docx
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