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PHOTO BY DENNIS ODA. JAN. 16
Senate President Donna Mercado Kim has introduced a package of bills to address accountability and transparency at the University of Hawaii after the loss of $200,000 in the failed Stevie Wonder concert
The bills are based on recommendations from the Senate Special Committee on Accountability, convened last year to investigate the botched concert and how the university managed the crisis.
In a news release, Kim said Hawaii’s executive and legislative branches have worked to give UH more flexibility and autonomy over the last three decades.
“However, that autonomy and self governance has evolved to a point where the Senate feels that, in the interest of statewide concern, the University of Hawaii needs to be held more accountable and operate in full transparency,” she said.
The proposed bills address procurement, training for Board of Regents members and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii.
A UH spokeswoman said the university is reviewing the bills.
The bills are:
>> Senate Bill 1383: Repeals the UH president’s authority to serve as the chief procurement officer for construction contracts.
>> SB 1384: Limits the Board of Regents to appointing one general counsel.
>> SB 1385: Requires the Board of Regents to undergo annual training and certification.
>> SB 1386: Requires the Board of Regents to file annual financial disclosures.
>> SB 1387: Gives the governor the authority to reject the list of nominees to the Board of Regents presented by the Regents Candidate Advisory Council.
>> SB 1388: Removes the UH president’s authority to also serve as president of the Research Corporation of UH board of directors.
