HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	573
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2021		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 2

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO FEDERAL FUNDS.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new part to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"PART    .  JOINT LEGISLATIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND RECOVERY COMMITTEE

     §21-A  Joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee established; purpose.  The joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee is established.  The committee shall conduct informational briefings, ascertain facts, and make recommendations to the legislature concerning matters relating to the emergency response of the State.

     §21-B  Membership.  The joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee shall be composed of the following members:

     (1)  Three members of the house of representatives to be designated by the speaker of the house of representatives, of whom one member shall be designated by the speaker of the house of representatives to serve as co-chair; provided that one member be a member of the minority, if a minority exists; and

     (2)  Three members of the senate to be designated by the senate president, of whom one member shall be designated by the senate president to serve as co-chair; provided that one member be a member of the minority, if a minority exists.

     §21-C  Powers and duties.  (a)  Any member of the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee may ask any question of any state officer appearing before the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee relating to the officer's respective department, the department's role in the emergency, and its emergency response.

     (b)  Any member of the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee may also submit written inquiries to any state officer to obtain a response, including requests for documents and materials pertinent to any federal allocations and the intended or actual uses and outcomes of the funding.

     (c)  Any officer questioned in writing shall reply to any question no later than three business days after receipt of the request, unless otherwise specified or an extension is granted."

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by designating sections 21-1 to 21-19 as part I, entitled "General Provisions".

     SECTION 3.  Chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§127A-     State of emergency; federal relief funds; joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, if the legislature is not in session when:

     (1)  The governor has called a state of emergency pursuant to this chapter; and

     (2)  The United States Congress has passed a financial relief package providing the State with an amount greater than $25,000,000 due to an emergency,

then the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee established pursuant to section 21-A may convene.

     (b)  If the legislature is not in session, the legislature may convene in a special session in accordance with the state constitution to act on the recommendations of the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee."

     SECTION 4.  In codifying the new sections added by section 1 of this Act, the revisor of statutes shall substitute appropriate section numbers for the letters used in designating the new sections in this Act.

     SECTION 5.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 6.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2021.

 

Report Title:

State of Emergency; Joint Legislative Emergency Response and Recovery Committee

 

Description:

Establishes the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee.  Allows the joint legislative emergency response and recovery committee, under certain circumstances, to convene and make recommendations to the legislature regarding federal funds.  Provides the Legislature with the opportunity to convene in special session in accordance with the state constitution to act on the recommendations.  (SD2)

 

 

 

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