State Election Board; distinct budget unit and an independent state agency; provide
Impact
The enactment of HB 636 would primarily affect the operational structure of the state election process. By delineating the State Election Board as an independent agency, it seeks to enhance its authority and operational capacity. This could lead to improved electoral procedures, accountability, and transparency, assuring the public of the integrity of elections managed by a more autonomous body free from direct political influences. The independence of the agency may also foster a more impartial electoral environment.
Summary
House Bill 636 establishes the State Election Board as a distinct budget unit and transforms it into an independent state agency. The bill aims to enhance the management and oversight of election processes, ensuring that operations related to state elections are conducted with increased autonomy and efficiency. This reorganization is anticipated to allow for more strategic budget allocation and oversight to improve electoral integrity and administration.
Contention
The distinction of the State Election Board as an independent agency may bring about contention regarding budgetary allocations and the extent of control that the legislature retains over election administration. Concerns may arise about whether this independence could lead to reduced oversight on electoral practices by the legislative body. Additionally, varying opinions regarding the necessity and effectiveness of such a transformation may spark debates among lawmakers and stakeholders in the electoral process.
In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions and for publication of notices; in the Secretary of the Commonwealth, further providing for Voting Standards Development Board and for State Plan Advisory Board; in county boards of elections, further providing for article heading, for county boards of elections and membership, for powers and duties of county boards, for records and documents to be open to public inspection and proviso and for watchers or attorneys at sessions of county board, candidates may be present; In district election officers, further providing for article heading, for district election boards and election, for tie votes for judge and inspector, for clerks of election and machine inspectors, for vacancies in election boards, appointment, judge and majority inspector to be members of majority party and minority inspector to be a member of minority party, for election officers to be sworn, for compensation of district election officers, for overseers of election and for appointment of watchers; in election districts and polling places, further providing for polling places to be selected by county board;
Requesting The Hawaii State Energy Office To Convene A Geothermal Energy Working Group To Evaluate The Regulatory And Policy Landscape Surrounding Geothermal Energy In Hawaii.
Requesting The Hawaii State Energy Office To Convene A Nuclear Energy Working Group To Study The Feasibility Of Using Advanced Nuclear Power Technologies In The State.