NEW 2018 LEGISLATION AND QUICK REVIEW

From Hawaii State Office of Information Practices, May 8, 2018

The Hawaii State Legislature adjourned its 2018 session on May 3, 2018.  As previously reported, the state Office of Information Practices (OIP) is thankful for having received supplemental funding of $100,000 for FY 19 to help provide salary parity for OIP’s employees.

Other than measures relating to specific agencies, only one Sunshine Law bill was passed that affects all agencies.  S.B. 2691, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, C.D. 1, Relating to Board Meetings, allows boards to use electronic mail to provide a copy of a notice of public meeting to the email address that may be specified by the Lt. Governor’s Office or the appropriate county clerk’s office.  The bill is expected to be approved by Governor David Ige and will take effect on July 1, 2018.

Also taking effect on July 1, 2018 will be the Sunshine Law changes signed into law last year, which will require board packets to be available for public inspection, and meeting notices and minutes to be electronically posted.  Boards will also be allowed to record their meetings and provide a written summary, in lieu of written minutes.  More details regarding these changes to the Sunshine Law are provided in a “Quick Review: Sunshine Law Revisions Effective July 1, 2018,” which is attached and also posted on OIP’s training page at oip.hawaii.gov.

For the latest open government news, please check for archived copies of What’s New articles that are posted here or can be e-mailed upon request. To be added to OIP’s e-mail list, please e-mail oip@hawaii.gov.  Also, if you would like to receive What’s New articles or attachments in a Word format, please contact OIP at (808) 586-1400 or oip@hawaii.gov.