Hawaii Senate Bill SCR165

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22

Caption

Urging The Office Of Information Practices To Clear The Backlog Of Appeals Filed Pursuant To Chapter 92f, Hawaii Revised Statutes, The Uniform Information Practices Act (modified), By January 1, 2023.

Impact

SCR165 highlights the backlogged appeals that accumulated primarily due to COVID-19 related emergency measures that suspended various operations of the OIP. Consequently, the resolution elevates the urgency for OIP to transition back to normal operations, ensuring that individuals' rights to appeal denials for information access are respected. Clearing the backlog is expected to bring about significant improvements in government transparency, thereby reinforcing public confidence in government practices.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution 165 (SCR165) urges the Office of Information Practices (OIP) in Hawaii to address the significant backlog of appeals related to the Uniform Information Practices Act (Modified) by January 1, 2023. The resolution underscores the importance of enhancing governmental accountability by ensuring public access to government records, a principle that is central to the mission of the OIP. With the aspirations of promoting open government and safeguarding individual privacy, the SCR165 aims to restore public trust in accessing information from government entities.

Contention

The resolution prompts a broader dialogue about the balance between transparency and privacy. While proponents advocate for the swift clearance of the backlog to facilitate access to government records, addressing concerns around how this information is handled by the OIP has remained a point of contention. Stakeholders may argue on different fronts about the level of access to personal data and sensitive government information, which could be influenced by the operational changes that the SCR165 entails.