Report Title:

Paperwork Reduction

 

Description:

Requires state agencies to submit reports to the legislature electronically; DAGS to study other means of reducing paperwork.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

248

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to paperwork reduction.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that each year executive departments and agencies of the State are requested to submit various project reports to the legislature, as well as numerous reports required by law. These reports consume considerable amounts of paper, which has an adverse effect on our natural resources and may ultimately lead to the depletion of our forests.

The legislature further finds that the majority of these executive departments and agencies have the technical capability to submit reports electronically, which would result in both more timely dispersal of reports as well as a considerable saving of paper. In addition, the department of accounting and general services is charged with the responsibility to "establish, coordinate, and manage a program to provide a means for public access to public information and develop and operate an information network", and to "improve data, voice, and video communications in state government", under section 26-6, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

The purpose of this Act is to encourage electronic reporting and to reduce paper usage by state departments and agencies.

SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statutes is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§     State agency reports; electronic submission. All reports submitted to the legislature by state agencies shall be submitted in electronic form. A list of all such reports submitted shall be maintained on the legislature’s website. All such reports also shall be posted on the Internet at the Hawaii State Government website for accessibility to the general public; provided that printed copies shall be available for distribution upon request."

SECTION 3. The department of accounting and general services shall study other means of reducing paper usage by state agencies, including the use of the Internet, electronic mail, and other computer technologies as appropriate.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.

INTRODUCED BY:

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