HAWAII'S SUNSHINE LAW AND OTHER CARTOONS

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MARCH 19, 2008

THE PUBLIC BODY SEEKS PRIVACY
OH, NO ONE KNOWS WHAT GOES ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS.


Sunshine revision proposed



By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Government Writer






Karen Knudsen, the first vice chair of the state Board of Education, is no enemy of sunshine.

But she thinks it's kind of silly that the state's open-meetings law prevents her from talking about school board-related issues with more than one of the other 12 voting members.

"I think our sunshine law is really important to uphold and maintain. I appreciate the intent. But in some ways it's just not practical," Knudsen said. "To me it's taking it to just an absurd level. But I know that it's not a very popular stand to take because it sounds like we're all trying to duck the sunshine law."

State lawmakers may revise the open-meetings law this session to allow two or more board members to discuss board business in private as long as they do not make commitments to vote or constitute a quorum. The change is intended to make the school board, county councils and neighborhood boards more flexible and efficient and perhaps avoid some of the fumbling and miscommunication that can occur when everything is done at public meetings.


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FEBRUARY 2, 2008









PROTECTING PROFESSIOINALS FROM CONSUMERS

HB3360 - House bill would exempt the task force infrom the Sunshine Law

SB2059 - Senate would make complaints about contractors and licensees
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