THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

83

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

PROPOSED

 

 

 

 

SENATE RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO REVIEW THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT AND IDENTIFY, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING, ANY FUNCTIONS OR OPERATIONS THAT CAN BE MODIFIED IN A COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER TO MEET THE CHANGING NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the State has a responsibility to provide services to the public in the most efficient and effective manner possible; and

 

     WHEREAS, the rapid global spread of the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19, prompted Governor David Ige to declare a state of emergency and issue several supplemental emergency proclamations that imposed stay-at-home orders, mandatory physical distancing measures, and a mandatory fourteen-day quarantine for incoming visitors and residents, all of which have severely impacted the State's economy and especially local businesses, workers, and residents; and

 

     WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the need for the state government to adjust its operations and shift employees in order to provide vital services to the public more responsively and effectively; and

 

     WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused, and is continuing to cause, the State to reconsider the ways in which governmental services are provided, including the use of technology and the repurposing of offices, to safeguard the safety and health of the public and the State's employees; and

 

     WHEREAS, as the State prepares its workforce for the future post-pandemic world, each of the State's departments and agencies will need to evaluate its existing systems and make any changes necessary to address deficiencies in that department or agency and improve the overall organization and functions of the state government; and

 

     WHEREAS, although the State, as a public employer, has the right to direct and, pursuant to section 89-9, Hawaii Revised States, negotiate certain issues with its employees, this body recognizes that, pursuant to section 89-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, "it is the public policy of the State to promote harmonious and cooperative relations between government and its employees and to protect the public by assuring effective and orderly operations of government"; and

 

     WHEREAS, an exchange of ideas and information between the State and its employees is the best way for the State to determine how best to improve government operations in order to serve the "new needs" of the public; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, that the Department of Human Resources Development is requested to convene a task force to review the functions and operations of the state government and identify, and make recommendations regarding, any functions or operations that can be modified in a cost-effective manner to meet the changing needs of the public; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Human Resources Development is requested to serve as the Chairperson of the task force; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include the following:

 

     (1)  A representative of the Governor's Office, to be appointed by the Governor;

 

     (2)  The Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee;

 

     (3)  A representative of the Senate, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; and

 

     (4)  A representative of the House of Representatives, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of Human Resources Development is requested to invite the following to participate on the task force:

 

     (1)  The Executive Director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association or the Executive Director's designee; and

 

     (2)  The State Director of United Public Workers or the State Director's designee; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to evaluate the state government's current functions and services and recommend to each affected department and agency improvements to that department or agency's programs and operations that could benefit residents of the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2022; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall cease to exist upon the adjournment sine die of the Regular Session of 2022; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Attorney General, Director of Human Resources Development, Executive Director of the Hawaii Government Employees Association, and State Director of United Public Workers.

Report Title:

Department of Human Resources Development; Task Force; COVID-19; Functions; Operations; Restructuring; Report