SB659 amends the disclosure requirements for recipients of monetary awards from the state. The measure requires the Department of Accounting and General Services to manage and update the information posted on the website (posting information involving contracts worth over $25,000). As the state faces a budget shortfall in the hundreds of millions of dollars, it is an auspicious time to compel the government to preserve Hawaiians' confidence by implementing the highest degree of transparency in their spending.
SB659 was introduced by Senators Ihara, Baker, and Chun Oakland. It passed the committee with amendments, with 16 ayes, 0 noes, and 1 excused.