Bill > HB1412

This bill modifies Hawaii's Sunshine Law, which governs public meetings and transparency, to clarify rules for neighborhood boards. The bill designates the neighborhood commission as the official oversight authority for applying the Sunshine Law to neighborhood boards. It allows boards to discuss two types of items not originally on the meeting agenda: unanticipated events critical to public health and safety, and official government reports. In both cases, the board can discuss the item but cannot make decisions during that meeting. For any decisions related to these discussed items, the board must place the matter on a future meeting's agenda with specific notice of potential decision-making. The bill also reinforces existing rules about quorum requirements, specifying that a quorum is needed for conducting official business, holding discussions prior to voting, and validating board actions, while allowing boards to receive information without a quorum as long as no decisions are made. The changes aim to provide more flexibility for neighborhood boards while maintaining transparency and preventing improper decision-making outside of properly noticed meetings. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1412&year=2026