HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.R. NO.

285

TWENTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2006

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

amending the rules of the house of representatives to require THAT the order of the day be posted in both paper and electronic form at least twenty-four hours in advance.

 

 

WHEREAS, an informed electorate is key to citizen participation in a successful democracy; and

WHEREAS, informed elected representatives are necessary for the operation of a successful democratic government; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Constitution sets forth numerous procedural requirements regarding the introduction, reading, and adoption of bills that are intended to keep both citizens and their elected representatives informed so that they may participate effectively in legislative proceedings; and

WHEREAS, the House of Representatives likewise has adopted rules of procedure that are intended to provide members and the public with notice of the content of bills before action is taken; and

WHEREAS, House Rule 11.5(1) provides that not less than forty-eight hours notice may be given of a committee meeting, except upon good cause shown to the Speaker, and Rule 36.1 provides that no bill may pass Third Reading unless it has been available to members for at least forty-eight hours prior to Third Reading; and

WHEREAS, House rules do not currently require that the Order of the Day be posted at any time in advance of session; and

WHEREAS, neither House members nor the public may adequately prepare for session without knowing in advance what business will be transacted; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2006, that House Rule 29 is hereby amended by adding a new paragraph to read as follows (proposed changes underlined):

"29.4 The Order of the Day shall be posted in paper and electronic form not later than twenty-four hours in advance of the session to which it pertains."; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to all members of the House of Representatives.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title:

Rule Amendment; Order of the Day