Report Title:

Elections; Elections Appointment and Review Panel

 

Description:

Requires the elections appointment and review panel to submit to the legislature the findings and recommendations from the biennial performance evaluation before each regular session held in even-numbered years instead of odd-numbered years; makes appropriation.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1140

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to elections.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that current law requires the elections appointment and review panel to submit its findings and recommendations from the biennial performance evaluation to the legislature twenty days before the convening of a session in an odd-numbered year. Because election operations begin in February of every even-numbered year and ends twenty days after the general election, the panel has only one month to prepare the report.

The purpose of this Act is to change the reporting time to every even-numbered legislative session and to make an appropriation for the operating expenses of the elections appointment and review panel.

SECTION 2. Section 11-2.7, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§11-2.7[]] Elections review program. The elections appointment and review panel shall develop and implement an elections review program, the purposes of which shall be to:

(1) Establish performance standards for the operation of elections and the performance of the chief election officer. The performance standards shall provide the criteria by which the operation of elections and the performance of the chief election officer will be evaluated;

(2) Review the operation of elections and the performance of the chief election officer;

(3) Make recommendations to the chief election officer on methods to improve the operation of elections;

(4) Establish policies for the administration of an elections observer program, to include ensuring the validity and reliability of election results;

(5) Conduct a biennial performance evaluation of the operation of elections and the performance of the chief election officer;

(6) Submit the findings and recommendations from the biennial performance evaluation to the legislature, not less than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session held in [odd-numbered] even-numbered years; and

(7) Adopt rules in accordance with chapter 91 to carry out the purposes of this section."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $25,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, for the operating expenses of the elections appointment and review panel, including conducting statewide hearings on proposed administrative rules.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of the lieutenant governor.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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