Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

Hawaii Senate Bill SCR131

Introduced
3/10/23  
Refer
3/15/23  
Report Pass
4/4/23  
Engrossed
4/5/23  
Refer
4/11/23  
Report Pass
4/17/23  

Caption

Requesting The Regulated Industries Complaints Office To Report The Itemized Total Amount Of Fines Or Judgments Collected And Uncollected Each Year, And To Include That Information In The Director Of Commerce And Consumer Affairs' Annual Compliance Resolution Fund Report.

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the role of RICO as an enforcement agency that oversees over one hundred seventy thousand active licensees across fifty-two different regulated industries. By requiring RICO to report on the financial outcomes of its enforcement actions, this bill could lead to improved operational efficiency and enhanced consumer protection. Notably, this will shed light on the financial aspects of RICO's function, including not only the successes but also the shortcomings in collecting fines, which could inform future policy adjustments.

Summary

SCR131 is a concurrent resolution from the State of Hawaii's Thirty-second Legislature requesting that the Regulated Industries Complaints Office (RICO) provide a detailed report of the total fines and judgments collected and uncollected from 1983 to the present. This measure aims to enhance transparency and accountability within the office by ensuring that both the Governor and Legislature are equipped with clear data regarding financial recoveries related to regulated professions which significantly impact public welfare.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR131 appears largely positive, particularly among proponents of government transparency and efficacy. Advocates believe that the resolution will provide much-needed insight into the operations of RICO, promoting better management practices and public confidence in regulatory processes. However, there may be some contention or concern regarding the feasibility of collecting historical data, especially regarding uncollected fines, and how that might reflect on RICO's performance.

Contention

While the overall intent of SCR131 is to promote transparency, a potential point of contention lies in the practical challenges of gathering and reporting this extensive historical data. Moreover, stakeholders may debate the implications of highlighting uncollected fines; whether this will be seen as an indication of RICO’s inefficiency could lead to discussions about resource allocation and operational effectiveness in future sessions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

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