THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1018

THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic highlighted the need to modernize government to meet the urgent needs of the community.  Further, the pandemic has highlighted the need for greater flexibility, responsiveness, transparency, and accountability in how government interfaces with and responds to the community.

     The legislature also finds that many current structures and processes have hindered or challenged agencies in their ability to responsively, promptly, effectively, and efficiently provide government services that the public demands.  Further, the executive branch departments, particularly those at the administrative and division levels, are often hindered in modernizing and realigning their programmatic and staffing structures because of the processes required to effectuate organizational change, collectively known as a "program reorganization" or "reorg".

     The legislature finds that program reorganization can take two years or more to complete and often is not approved until long after the original intent has lapsed.  Further, the legislature found in response to the pandemic that these processes prevented expeditious staffing and proactive adjustments needed to quickly respond to community needs.

     Finally, the legislature finds that time is of the essence to support the agencies to restructure and realign their programs to quickly and effectively meet the needs of the community.  Further, the current and continuing economic downturn and budget shortfall facing the State necessitates significantly more flexibility and public accountability.  Government programs must be allowed and mandated to reorganize to more readily and effectively manage and maximize the use of scarce resources to address the complex and growing needs of our communities.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish reorganization pilot projects within the department of health to shift and organize the functions, positions, and funding to effectuate an organization that cost-effectively and more efficiently provides needed services to the public.

     SECTION 2.  (a)  The department of health shall establish four two-year reorganization pilot projects to reorganize the following divisions and offices within the department of health:

     (1)  Behavioral health services administration;

     (2)  Environmental health administration;

     (3)  General administration, including the office of the director of health; and

     (4)  Health resources administration.

     (b)  In reorganizing the four divisions, the department of health shall consult with the department of budget and finance and department of human resources development.

     (c)  The reorganization pilot project shall:

     (1)  Shift and organize the functions, positions, and funding to effectuate an organization that cost-effectively and more efficiently provides needed services to the public;

     (2)  Identify the processes to most efficiently and cost-effectively restructure and realign functions, staffing, and funding to meet the needs of the community;

     (3)  Conduct an expedited reorganization, including consultation with the appropriate bargaining units, with the assistance of the department of human resources, to address affected employees, maintaining, to the extent possible, their functions as reflected in their current positions and current salary.

     (d)  The reorganization pilot project shall end on June 30, 2023.

     SECTION 3.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.


 


 

Report Title:

Government; Reorganization; Department of Health; Behavioral Health Services Administration; Pilot Project

 

Description:

Requires the department of health to establish a reorganization pilot project to reorganize the department of health behavioral health services administration; environmental health administration; general administration, including the office and the director of health; and health resources administration.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

 

 

 

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