Bill > SB405

This bill modifies the rules for neighborhood board meetings in Hawaii by allowing government officials to provide third-party reports during meetings, even if those reports were not originally included in the public meeting notice. Specifically, the bill amends Section 92-81 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to permit neighborhood boards to receive and discuss information from government officials during the public input portion of a meeting, without being limited to items specifically listed on the agenda. However, the bill maintains a key procedural constraint: while boards can discuss and receive information about matters raised during public input or through third-party government reports, they cannot make decisions on those matters during the same meeting. Instead, any decisions must be postponed to a subsequent meeting where the agenda explicitly provides notice that a decision will be made on the specific matter. This approach ensures transparency and gives board members and the public advance notice of potential decision-making, while also providing flexibility for boards to hear and consider information from government sources during their meetings.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=405&year=2025