Report Title:

Administrative Agency Budget Restrictions; Hearing Requested

 

Description:

Requires the governor or B&F to hold public hearings before implementing any restrictions on department or agency budget allocations; requires annual report to the legislature on any such hearings.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

661

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to the state budget.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that in order for state agencies to operate efficiently, moneys appropriated for these state agencies by the legislature must be fully released and made available to these agencies in a timely manner.

The legislature further finds that it is the current administration’s practice to withhold funds contained in the executive budget from state departments and agencies, and that this practice severely curtails the departments' and agencies' ability to meet their goals and objectives in serving the people of Hawaii.

The legislature believes that it is inappropriate for the governor or the director of finance to restrict moneys contained in the executive budget without a public hearing, as this budget is approved by the legislature and meets the requirements with regards to the general fund expenditure ceiling in accordance with article VII, section 9 of the state constitution.

The purpose of this Act is to require that the governor or director of finance, prior to implementing any restriction on the budget allocation of any state department or agency, hold a public hearing on such restrictions, in order to inform the citizens of the State of Hawaii and afford them the opportunity to respond to the proposed restrictions.

SECTION 2. Prior to implementing any restriction on the budget allocation of any state department or agency, the governor or director of finance, whomever is proposing the restriction, shall hold a public hearing on the proposed restriction, subject to chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

SECTION 3. The director of finance shall report annually twenty days prior to the regular legislative session on any such public hearings.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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