SR 156: URGING ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF their EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OR PERSONS HOLDING EQUIVALENT POSITIONS exempt from civil service law.

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF their EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OR PERSONS HOLDING EQUIVALENT POSITIONS exempt from civil service law.

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution, state statutes, and executive orders, boards and commissions are established to address specific problems or challenges within the community and to encourage citizen participation in the process; and

WHEREAS, boards and commissions act as state liaisons for the community, recommending systems or programs aimed at providing support and solutions for unique challenges faced by respective communities; and

WHEREAS, Executive Directors of these boards and commissions or persons holding equivalent positions execute directives from their respective board or commission, manage operations, and make progress towards state and community goals on resolving or improving identified challenges or issues under the purviews of their respective board or commission; and

WHEREAS, the Executive Directors of these boards and commissions or persons holding equivalent positions are often appointed by the members of each entity, and are exempt from civil service law; and

WHEREAS, the boards and commissions must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, including statements regarding actions taken by the entity, specific findings and recommendations, or other duties and actions relevant to the entity; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that all boards and commissions are urged to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors or persons holding equivalent positions exempt from civil service law, including evaluations on the meeting of state goals and statutory mandates of the board or commission; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the heads of each state department, who in turn are requested to transmit copies of this resolution to the chairs of their respective boards and commissions that appoint or otherwise employ an Executive Director or person having an equivalent position exempt from civil service law.

Report Title:

Boards and Commissions; Executive Directors; Performance Review

SENATE RESOLUTION

URGING ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OR PERSONS HOLDING EQUIVALENT EXEMPT POSITIONS.

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     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Hawaii State Constitution, state statutes, and executive orders, boards and commissions are established to address specific problems or challenges within the community and to encourage citizen participation; and

WHEREAS, boards and commissions act as state liaisons for the community, recommending systems or programs aimed at providing support and solutions for unique challenges faced by respective communities; and

WHEREAS, executive directors or persons holding equivalent exempt positions execute directives from these boards and commissions, manage operations, and make progress towards state and community goals on resolving or improving identified challenges or issues under these entities purviews; and

WHEREAS, the executive directors or persons holding equivalent exempt positions of the boards, and chairpersons of the commissions, are appointed by the members of each entity; and

WHEREAS, the boards and commissions must submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, including statements regarding actions taken by an entity, specific findings and recommendations, or other duties and actions relevant to the entity; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, that all boards and commissions are urged to conduct annual performance reviews of their executive directors or persons holding equivalent, exempt positions, to be inclusive of evaluations on the meeting of state goals and statutory mandates; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the heads of each department, who in turn are requested to transmit copies of this resolution to the chairs of their respective boards and commissions having oversight by an executive director or person having an equivalent exempt position.

Report Title:

Boards and Commissions; Executive Directors; Performance Review

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1574

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 156

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Government Operations, to which was referred S.R. No. 156 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION URGING ALL BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO CONDUCT ANNUAL PERFORMANCE REVIEWS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OR PERSONS HOLDING EQUIVALENT EXEMPT POSITIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to urge all boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors or persons holding equivalent positions exempt from civil service law. 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that the State has established various boards and commissions to address specific community issues and act as state liaisons for local communities.  The day-to-day operations of these entities and the execution of their directives are often handled by Executive Directors or persons holding equivalent positions.  Your Committee further finds that although these individuals play critical roles in resolving or improving identified challenges or issues under the purview of their boards and commissions, they are not subject to civil service law that incorporates a merit-based system in the selection, management, and discipline of employees.  It is therefore critical that oversight measures be implemented to ensure accountability and integrity in the conduct of these employees.  Accordingly, this measure urges all boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors or persons holding equivalent positions exempt from civil service law.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Amending its title to better reflect its purpose; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 156, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 156, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Operations,