Hawaii House Bill HR33

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/7/22
• Refer: 3/10/22
• Report Pass: 3/30/22
• Refer: 3/30/22
• Report Pass: 4/7/22
• Passed: 4/7/22

Caption

Requesting The Auditor To Conduct A Performance Audit Of The Department Of Health, Hawaii State Hospital, And Hawaii Information Portal.

Impact

The audit requested in HR33 is expected to provide an in-depth analysis of the Hawaii Information Portal and determine how effectively it is being utilized by the Department of Health and Hawaii State Hospital. By conducting this audit, the state aims to identify any operational deficiencies, streamline efficiency, and ultimately improve the services rendered by these agencies. The significance of this audit is heightened due to previous investigations conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman, which have substantiated complaints against the aforementioned entities relating to the new payroll system.

Summary

House Resolution 33 (HR33) introduced in the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, calls for a comprehensive performance audit of both the Department of Health and the Hawaii State Hospital, specifically concerning the operations and effectiveness of the Hawaii Information Portal. This initiative comes in response to various complications reported during the transition to this state payroll system, which was modernized in January 2019 after replacing a legacy system that had been in place for fifty years. The resolution recognizes the significant changes and challenges faced by these institutions in adapting to new systems and seeks an objective assessment of their processes.

Contention

While HR33 reflects a proactive approach to tackle state operational challenges, there may be discussions regarding the implications of this audit. Stakeholders could express concerns either about resource allocation for the audit or potential resistance from the agencies under review. Additionally, the findings could lead to further legislative actions based on the auditor's recommendations, including potential changes in policy or even structural reforms to enhance operational effectiveness. Thus, this resolution holds the potential to not only evaluate the current systems but pave the way for future improvements.