A Comprehensive Guide to Hawaii’s Legislative Reference Bureau Services

The Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) is a nonpartisan legislative service agency established to assist the Hawaii State Legislature and the public in navigating the state’s legislative processes. Operating under Chapter 23G of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the LRB offers a range of services designed to support effective governance and informed citizen participation.

Overview of the Legislative Reference Bureau

The LRB comprises five distinct divisions:

  • Research Division: Provides comprehensive, nonpartisan research and drafting services for the Legislature, including bill drafting, committee reports, and legislative studies.
  • Statute Revision Division: Serves as the Revisor of Statutes, responsible for maintaining and updating the Hawaii Revised Statutes to ensure accuracy and clarity.
  • Systems Office: Manages the Bureau’s information technology infrastructure, supporting legislative data processing and related systems.
  • Library: Maintains an extensive collection of public documents, publications, and reference materials pertinent to governmental issues.
  • Public Access Room (PAR): Assists the public in participating in the legislative process by providing resources, guidance, and access to legislative documents.

    • Services Offered by the Legislative Reference Bureau

    Research and Drafting Services

    The Research Division plays a pivotal role in supporting the Legislature by:

  • Drafting Legislative Measures: Assisting in the creation of bills, resolutions, and amendments to address legislative needs.
  • Conducting Studies and Reports: Providing in-depth analyses and reports on various policy issues to inform legislative decision-making.
  • Supporting Legislative Committees: Offering research and drafting assistance to committees during the legislative session and interim periods.

    • Statute Revision and Publication

    The Statute Revision Division ensures that Hawaii’s laws are current and accessible by:

  • Maintaining the Hawaii Revised Statutes: Regularly updating the statutes to reflect new legislation and amendments.
  • Publishing Supplements and Replacements: Issuing supplements and replacement volumes to keep the legal community informed of the latest legal developments.

    • Library Services

    The LRB Library offers a wealth of resources, including:

  • Comprehensive Collections: Access to Hawaii statutes, court cases, county codes, and federal statutes.
  • Reference Materials: A wide array of periodicals and newspapers covering topics from law and public policy to business and current affairs.
  • Research Assistance: Support for legislative staff and the public in locating and utilizing legal and governmental information.

    • Public Access Room (PAR)

    The PAR serves as a bridge between the Legislature and the public by:

  • Providing Access to Legislative Documents: Offering free access to legislative documents, including bills, resolutions, and committee reports.
  • Assisting in Testimony Submission: Guiding individuals on how to submit testimony for legislative hearings.
  • Conducting Workshops and Seminars: Educating the public on the legislative process, effective participation, and understanding legislative documents.

    • Contact Information

    For more information or to access the services provided by the Legislative Reference Bureau, you can contact them at:

  • Address: State Capitol, Room 005, 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
  • Phone: (808) 587-0690
  • Email: lrb@capitol.hawaii.gov
  • Website: https://lrb.hawaii.gov/

    • Participating in the Legislative Process

    The Public Access Room (PAR) is dedicated to assisting the public in engaging with the legislative process. Services include:

  • Access to Legislative Documents: Free access to legislative documents, including bills, resolutions, and committee reports.
  • Assistance with Testimony: Guidance on how to submit testimony for legislative hearings.
  • Workshops and Seminars: Educational sessions on the legislative process, effective participation, and understanding legislative documents.

    • For more information or to access the services provided by the Public Access Room, you can contact them at:

  • Address: State Capitol, Room 401, 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI 96813
  • Phone: (808) 587-0478
  • Email: par@capitol.hawaii.gov
  • Website: https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/

Conclusion

The Hawaii Legislative Reference Bureau plays a crucial role in supporting the legislative process by providing comprehensive research, drafting, and informational services. Whether you’re a legislator, legislative staff member, or a member of the public seeking to engage with Hawaii’s legislative system, the LRB offers valuable resources to facilitate informed participation and effective governance.