THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1015

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO THE COMPTROLLER.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has required many state employees to work from home or other remote locations to maintain social distancing and prevent the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  However, the relocation of state employees to non-traditional work environments has left an indelible impression on the possibilities of how state work can be accomplished.

     The legislature has also determined that working from home or other off-worksite locations has demonstrated the cost-effectiveness and productivity of public services.  Remote teleworking can and should continue to remain an important option for state employees who can accomplish their duties outside of their traditional work environment.  Social distancing and decreasing employees' physical presence in state facilities can continue to provide a defense against the spread of infectious diseases as well as enable more cost-efficient use of state office facilities.

     The legislature also finds that employees working off-site enables the State to make better use of its limited resources, including but not limited to office space, furnishing, equipment, electrical and data requirements, storage space, and other traditional needs of employees who work at state facilities.  State facilities can also be adjusted and consolidated to accommodate workers from various state agencies at single locations.  Employees who can accomplish the same work from an off-site location may prefer to work at home to accommodate the caregiving of keiki and kupuna.  These considerations can result in a win-win outcome for both taxpayers and state employees.

     The purpose of this Act is to add, as part of the Comptroller's state facilities management responsibilities, assessing and determining office space requirements, authorizing space allocation, and determining telework infrastructure requirements for tenants in buildings managed by the department of accounting and general services.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 40, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§40-     Office space management.  For state agencies occupying facilities managed by the department of accounting and general services, the comptroller shall:

     (1)  Assess and determine office space requirements;

     (2)  Initiate or cancel new leases upon the determination of each agency's requirements;

     (3)  Renegotiate existing leases;

     (4)  Authorize office space allocation; and

     (5)  Determine infrastructure requirements to allow employees to telework."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.



 

Report Title:

Comptroller; DAGS; Office Space Management; Leases; Telework

 

Description:

Expands Comptroller's duties to include the assessment of office space, including initiating, canceling, and renegotiating current and new leases, office space allocation, and telework infrastructure requirements for agencies and employees occupying facilities managed by the Department of Accounting and General Services.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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