Report Title:

Historic Preservation Officer; Qualifications

 

Description:

Requires the state historic preservation officer possess professional qualification in specific fields of study.

 


THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1391

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT


 

 

relating to the state historic preservation officer.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the state historic preservation officer requires extensive training and professional experience as the administrator of the state historic preservation program.  The duties of the state historic preservation officer include reviewing nominations for the National Register of Historic Places and maintaining data on historic places in Hawaii that have yet to be nominated.  The officer also serves as the State's consultant to federal agencies during reviews of the federal Advisory Council of Historic Preservation's regulations for the protection of historic places and during identification and assessment of historic properties.

     Due to the important role of the state historic preservation officer, the legislature originally required the person to be appointed to the position on the basis of professional competence and experience in the field of historic preservation.  The legislature further finds, however, that past and present governors of the State have appointed state historic preservation officers based on broadly worded qualifications that do not meet nationally accepted professional standards for such a position.  Requiring that the individual appointed possesses the specified qualifications would bring accountability and consistency to the position of state historic preservation officer.

     The purpose of this Act is to require the governor to appoint a person as state historic preservation officer who fulfills the profession qualification standards established by the United States Secretary of the Interior.

     SECTION 2.  Section 6E-5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§6E-5[]]  State historic preservation officer.  (a)  The governor shall appoint a state historic preservation officer, and may appoint the officer without regard to chapter 76, who shall be responsible for the comprehensive historic preservation program and who shall be the state liaison officer for the conduct of relations with the federal government and the respective states with regard to matters of historic preservation. 

     (b)  The state historic preservation officer shall [be appointed on the basis of professional competence and experience in the field of historic preservation and]:

     (1)  Be a qualified historic preservation professional in architecture, architectural history, archaeology, history, culture, or a closely related field, who meets the professional qualification standards established by the United States Secretary of the Interior; and

     (2)  Have professional experience with respect to historic preservation in Hawaii.

     (c)  The state historic preservation officer shall be placed in the department for the purposes of the state program.

     (d)  Upon appointment of the state historic preservation officer by the governor, the governor shall immediately advise the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives of the identity of the person appointed and the person's qualifications to serve in that position."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________