SB 741: RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.
- Session Year: 2025-2026
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2025-01-17
Current Status:
Failed
(2025-12-08: Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Final Decking
Enacted
Establishes an External Audit Committee within the University of Hawaii to audit the University of Hawaii System and the Board of Regents. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
741 |
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THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the university of hawaii.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 2. Chapter 304A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I, subpart A, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:
"§304A- External audit committee. (a) There is established within the university of Hawaii an external audit committee to audit the board of regents and the university of Hawaii system.
(b) The committee shall include the following members:
(1) The auditor;
(2) One member appointed by the governor;
(3) One member appointed by the chief justice; and
(4) Other members invited by the external audit committee, as appropriate.
(c) The external audit committee shall be subject to chapter 84. The external audit committee shall be exempt from chapter 91 and chapter 92 to the extent that the audit committee is engaging in discussions that should remain confidential in accordance with nationally recognized best practices for external and independent audit committees, or in proceedings arising from an investigation by the external audit committee relating to potentially actionable civil or criminal conduct, regardless of whether the investigation is pending or outstanding.
(d) The external audit committee shall engage in oversight relating to enterprise risk management.
(e) The external audit committee shall hold meetings as needed to address matters on its agenda, not less frequently than twice per year.
(f) The external audit committee shall review its effectiveness annually.
(g) The committee shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the governor, chief justice, and legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each regular session."
SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.
SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
UH; BOR; Auditor; Governor; Chief Justice; External Audit Committee; Established; Reports
Description:
Establishes an External Audit Committee within the University of Hawaii to audit the University of Hawaii System and the Board of Regents. Requires annual reports to the Legislature.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
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Date
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Status
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| Dec 8, 2025 | Carried over to 2026 Regular Session. |
| Mar 14, 2025 | The committee(s) on HED recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. |
| Mar 11, 2025 | Bill scheduled to be heard by HED on Friday, 03-14-25 2:00PM in House conference room 309 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE. |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Referred to HED, FIN, referral sheet 19 |
| Mar 6, 2025 | Pass First Reading |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 189). |
| Mar 4, 2025 | Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Inouye, Keohokalole, Rhoads. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | One Day Notice 03-04-25. |
| Feb 28, 2025 | Reported from WAM (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 860) with recommendation of passage on Third Reading. |
| Feb 26, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Feb 20, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to WAM. |
| Feb 11, 2025 | Reported from HRE (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 226) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading and referral to WAM. |
| Feb 4, 2025 | The committee(s) on HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HRE were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Kim, Kidani, Fukunaga, Hashimoto, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none. |
| Jan 31, 2025 | The committee(s) on HRE has scheduled a public hearing on 02-04-25 3:15PM; Conference Room 229 & Videoconference. |
| Jan 23, 2025 | Referred to HRE, WAM. |
| Jan 21, 2025 | Passed First Reading. |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Introduced. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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| Mar 4, 2025 | Third Reading | Senate Floor |
Passed |
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| Feb 26, 2025 | The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Ways and Means |
Passed |
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| Feb 4, 2025 | The committee(s) on HRE recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED | Senate Standing Committee on Higher Education |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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| Board of Regents, University of Hawaiʻi | *** Against | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Office of the Auditor, State of Hawai‘i | *** Against | Mar 14, 2025 |
| Public First Law Center | *** Against | Mar 14, 2025 |
| University of Hawaii Professional Assembly | *** Against | Mar 14, 2025 |
STAND. COM. REP. NO. 860
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 741
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred S.B. No. 741 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an External Audit Committee within the University of Hawaii to audit the University of Hawaii System and Board of Regents.
Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Public First Law Center.
Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices and Office of the Auditor.
Your Committee finds that the External Audit Committee established by this measure will help ensure accountability and promote transparency in the operations of the University of Hawaii System and Board of Regents.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 741 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,
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________________________________ DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair |
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STAND. COM. REP. NO. 226
Honolulu, Hawaii
RE: S.B. No. 741
Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi
President of the Senate
Thirty-Third State Legislature
Regular Session of 2025
State of Hawaii
Sir:
Your Committee on Higher Education, to which was referred S.B. No. 741 entitled:
"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII,"
begs leave to report as follows:
The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish an External Audit Committee within the University of Hawaii to audit the University of Hawaii System and the Board of Regents.
Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Public First Law Center.
Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Office of Information Practices and one individual.
Your Committee finds that the University of Hawaii and the Board of Regents require oversight to maintain accountability, transparency, and efficiency. Your Committee further finds that a process to identify, assess, and respond to risks would enable the University of Hawaii to more smoothly operate. This measure establishes an External Audit Committee to ensure that the Board of Regents and University of Hawaii System implement effective enterprise risk management practices.
As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Higher Education that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 741 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Higher Education,
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________________________________ DONNA MERCADO KIM, Chair |
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Date
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Testimony PDF
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| Mar 14, 2025 | SB741_TESTIMONY_HED_03-14-25_.PDF |
| Feb 26, 2025 | SB741_TESTIMONY_WAM_02-26-25_.PDF |
| Feb 4, 2025 | SB741_TESTIMONY_HRE_02-04-25_.PDF |
Discussed in Hearing
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