STAND. COM. REP. NO. 742

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 255

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 255, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to propose a constitutional amendment to the Hawaii Constitution to provide for the election of the Attorney General of the State of Hawaii.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu and the Campaign Spending Commission. Testimony in opposition to the measure was submitted by the Hawaii Government Employees Association.

This measure proposes to amend the Hawaii Constitution to provide for the election of the Attorney General for the State of Hawaii. Your Committees find that this measure establishes the eligibility requirements for a candidate for this elective office, the term of office, the powers and duties of this elected position, and the process of impeachment for removing the Attorney General. Your Committees note that over forty states elect their Attorneys General and that it is appropriate for Hawaii to join their ranks.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Ways and Means that are attached to this report, your Committees are in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 255, S.D. 1, and recommend that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs and Ways and Means,

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BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair

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COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair