Bill Text: HI SB1253 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended
Bill Title: Relating To The Office Of Information Practices.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [SB1253 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2024-SB1253-Amended.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
1253 |
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THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF INFORMATION PRACTICES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
""Guidance" means a
written discussion of the major legal and factual issues raised by an inquiry,
including the most likely resolution of a complaint made in the inquiry, if
applicable, but does not rise to the level of an opinion.
"Opinion"
means a written discussion of legal and factual issues raised by an inquiry,
including the findings and conclusions reached by the director of the office of
information practices regarding those issues, regardless of whether the inquiry
alleges violations of this chapter or part I of chapter 92 or otherwise raises
disputed issues of law or fact, or the inquiry seeks an advisory legal
interpretation of this chapter or part I of chapter 92.
"Ruling" means a written opinion providing firm and final legal determination of all disputed issues raised by an inquiry alleging violations of this chapter or part I of chapter 92."
SECTION 2. Section 92F-42, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:
"§92F-42 Powers and duties of the office of information practices. The director of the office of information practices:
(1) Shall,
upon request, review and [rule] issue a ruling on an agency
denial of access to information or records, or an agency's granting of access;
provided that any review by the office of information practices shall not be a
contested case under chapter 91 and shall be optional and without prejudice to
rights of judicial enforcement available under this chapter; provided that
if the office of information practices issues written guidance to a complainant
concluding that an agency denial of access most likely will be upheld, and
includes reasons for that decision and informs the complainant of the right to bring
a judicial action under section 92F-15(a), then no further action is required
by the office of information practices;
(2) Upon request by an agency, shall provide and make public advisory guidelines, opinions, or other information concerning that agency's functions and responsibilities;
(3) Upon request by any person, may provide advisory opinions or other information regarding that person's rights and the functions and responsibilities of agencies under this chapter;
(4) May conduct inquiries regarding compliance by an agency and investigate possible violations by any agency;
(5) May examine the records of any agency for the purpose of paragraphs (4) and (18) and seek to enforce that power in the courts of this State;
(6) May recommend disciplinary action to appropriate officers of an agency;
(7) Shall report annually to the governor and the state legislature on the activities and findings of the office of information practices, including recommendations for legislative changes;
(8) Shall receive complaints from and actively solicit the comments of the public regarding the implementation of this chapter;
(9) Shall review the official acts, records, policies, and procedures of each agency;
(10) Shall assist agencies in complying with the provisions of this chapter;
(11) Shall inform the public of the following rights of an individual and the procedures for exercising them:
(A) The right of access to records pertaining to the individual;
(B) The right to obtain a copy of records pertaining to the individual;
(C) The right to know the purposes for which records pertaining to the individual are kept;
(D) The right to be informed of the uses and disclosures of records pertaining to the individual;
(E) The right to correct or amend records pertaining to the individual; and
(F) The individual's right to place a statement in a record pertaining to that individual;
(12) Shall
adopt rules that set forth an administrative appeals structure [which] that
provides for:
(A) Agency procedures for processing records requests;
(B) A direct appeal from the division maintaining the record; and
(C) Time limits for action by agencies;
(13) Shall adopt rules that set forth the fees and other charges that may be imposed for searching, reviewing, or segregating disclosable records, as well as to provide for a waiver of fees when the public interest would be served;
(14) Shall
adopt rules [which] that set forth uniform standards for the
records collection practices of agencies;
(15) Shall adopt rules that set forth uniform standards for disclosure of records for research purposes;
(16) Shall have standing to appear in cases where the provisions of this chapter or part I of chapter 92 are called into question;
(17) Shall adopt, amend, or repeal rules pursuant to chapter 91 necessary for the purposes of this chapter; and
(18) Shall take action to oversee compliance with part I of chapter 92 by all state and county boards including:
(A) Receiving
and resolving complaints[;] by issuing a ruling on whether a
violation occurred; provided that if the office of information practices issues
written guidance to a complainant concluding that a board most likely did not
violate part I of chapter 92, and includes reasons for that decision and
informs the complainant of the right to bring a judicial action under section
92-12(c), then no further action is required by the office of information
practices;
(B) Advising all government boards and the public about compliance with chapter 92; and
(C) Reporting each year to the legislature on all complaints received pursuant to section 92-1.5."
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, 2112.
Report Title:
Uniform Information Practices Act; Sunshine Law; Office of Information Practices
Description:
Defines "guidance", "opinion", and "ruling". Requires the Director of the Office of Information Practices to provide either a ruling or guidance in writing on open records responses and open meetings complaints. Effective 7/1/2112. (SD1)
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
