STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1832

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.C.R. No. 278

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Human Services, to which was referred H.C.R. No. 278 entitled:

"HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO POST TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES BUDGET INFORMATION ON ITS WEBSITE FOR PUBLIC REVIEW,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to request the Department of Human Services (DHS) to post temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) budget information on its website for public review.

The DHS and National Association of Social Workers submitted testimony in support of this measure.

Your Committee finds that transparency and accountability are priorities in government. The DHS currently maintains a website that includes information on its divisions and programs, but not budget information regarding how funds are expended within DHS. Posting this information on the DHS website will allow the public to have better participation, understanding, and communication with DHS. Your Committee further finds that TANF funds are public moneys, and the public should have access to how the government spends these funds.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of H.C.R. No. 278, and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Human Services,

____________________________

SUZANNE CHUN OAKLAND, Chair