HB 642: RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 91-2.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Beginning January 1, 2000, all state agencies, through the office of the lieutenant governor, shall make available on the website of the office of the lieutenant governor each proposed rulemaking action of the agency and the full text of the agency's proposed rules or changes to existing rules.  The full text of the agency's proposed rules shall be in a digitally accessible and searchable format.  The internet website shall provide instructions regarding how to download the information regarding proposed rulemaking actions and the full text of the agency's proposed rules."

     SECTION 2.  Section 91-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Each agency adopting, amending, or repealing a rule, upon approval [thereof] by the governor or the mayor of the county, shall file [forthwith] certified copies [thereof] of the rules with the lieutenant governor in the case of the State, or with the clerk of the county in the case of a county.  In addition, the clerks of all of the counties shall file [forthwith] certified copies [thereof] of the rules with the lieutenant governor.  A permanent register of the rules, open to public inspection, shall be kept by the lieutenant governor and the clerks of the counties.  All state agencies, through the office of the lieutenant governor, shall make available on the website of the office of the lieutenant governor the full text of the rules of the agency in a digitally accessible and searchable format."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Administrative Rules; Rulemaking; Agencies; Digital Accessibility; Searchability; Formatting

Description:

Requires all state agencies proposing, adopting, amending, or repealing a rule to make the full text of the rules of the agency available on the website of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in a digitally accessible and searchable format.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to administrative rules.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 91-2.6, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Beginning January 1, 2000, all state agencies, through the office of the lieutenant governor, shall make available on the website of the office of the lieutenant governor each proposed rulemaking action of the agency and the full text of the agency's proposed rules or changes to existing rules.  The full text of the agency's proposed rules shall be in a digitally accessible and searchable format.  The internet website shall provide instructions regarding how to download the information regarding proposed rulemaking actions and the full text of the agency's proposed rules."

     SECTION 2.  Section 91-4, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

     "(a)  Each agency adopting, amending, or repealing a rule, upon approval [thereof] by the governor or the mayor of the county, shall file [forthwith] certified copies [thereof] of the rules with the lieutenant governor in the case of the State, or with the clerk of the county in the case of a county.  In addition, the clerks of all of the counties shall file [forthwith] certified copies [thereof] of the rules with the lieutenant governor.  A permanent register of the rules, open to public inspection, shall be kept by the lieutenant governor and the clerks of the counties.  All state agencies, through the office of the lieutenant governor, shall make available on the website of the office of the lieutenant governor the full text of the rules of the agency in a digitally accessible and searchable format."

     SECTION 3.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Administrative Rules; Rulemaking; Agencies; Digital Accessibility; Searchability; Formatting

Description:

Requires all state agencies adopting, amending, or repealing a rule to make the full text of the rules of the agency available on the website of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in a digitally accessible and searchable format.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  743

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 642

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 642 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE RULES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require all state agencies proposing, adopting, amending, or repealing a rule to make the full text of the rules of the agency available on the website of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor in a digitally accessible and searchable format.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii; Grassroot Institute of Hawaii; Public First Law Center; ACLU Hawaii; and two individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.  

     Your Committee finds that this measure will promote transparency and make it easier for the public to access government rules and participate in the rulemaking process.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

     Your Committee notes that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor has requested that the effective date be changed to January 1, 2026, to allow state agencies the opportunity to coordinate with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 642, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 642, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,