Governor Josh Green signed six “good governance bills” that strengthened the government's commitment to accountability and transparency in government actions. These bills are part of an ongoing effort to foster public trust and citizen participation and are intended to increase the openness of decision-making processes across Hawai'i.
Among the bills signed into law, House Bills 1598, 1599, and 1600 focus on strengthening Hawaii's open meetings law. They ensure timely distribution of written testimony to board members (HB 1598), enable audio and video participation in remote meetings (HB 1599), and establish clear time standards between board meetings. (HB 1600) aims to encourage more public input. Reviewing and complying with Open Meetings Act requirements.
House Bill 1879 provides for fair publication of digital voter information guides and prevents selective access prior to publication. Additionally, House Bill 1881 updates the amount of administrative fines for violations of conduct and lobbying laws in an effort to deter unethical conduct.
Finally, House Bill 2072 promotes transparency in disaster relief fund recruitment by requiring disclosure, protecting donors, and fostering confidence in relief efforts.
“These bills collectively strengthen Hawaii's commitment to accountability, transparency, and public participation in governance, and make significant strides toward ensuring good governance and maintaining public trust,” according to the release. “We will show you.”
