Hawaii lawmakers are entertaining amendments to the state Sunshine Law to allow board members to attend public meetings, community events and professional association conferences without violating the open meetings law.

The House Judiciary Committee voted today to advance a new draft of House Bill 1611 that will address only board members’ attendance at public gatherings not directly related to matters currently before the board. 

Private discussion between board members on issues under deliberation or pending action will remain restricted.

The bill’s intent is to allow elected and appointed officials to attend more events for educational purposes, or to promote community participation and constituent services.

After hearing strong opposition, the committee removed from the bill a provision that would have reduced the public meeting notice requirement to four days from six.