Jan. 28, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 325 and Videoconference
To: House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Rep. David A. Tarnas, Chair
Rep. Mahina Poepoe, Vice-Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF HB131 — RELATING TO RESEARCH
Aloha Chair Tarnas, Vice-Chair Poepoe and other members of the Committee,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its comments in support of HB131, which would allow the state Office of Information Practices to develop more effective rules governing the disclosure of government records for research purposes.
This bill is a much-needed amendment to existing open-records law that would allow a more uniform approach to the disclosure of records for research purposes.
The state Uniform Information Practices Act allows for the expanded disclosure of information for research purposes, but the OIP has indicated that it requires explicit statutory authority to make those rules. This means that research-based organizations are unable to make full use of the data held by government agencies.
As an educational research organization and public watchdog group, the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii often uses open-records requests in its analysis of government policy. Our UIPA requests run the gamut, from requests for records of budget and financial documents to requests for details of the plans for the Honolulu rail project.
We have found that government agencies have access to large amounts of data that could be used in the development of studies that would inform local policymaking. However, without full access to that data, researchers are limited in their ability to carry out such studies. Meanwhile, government agencies with access to this data might lack the resources, interest or mandate to make full use of it for research purposes.
Allowing researchers greater access to government data would be a win-win for policymakers, creating more avenues for useful, data-driven projects at little cost to taxpayers.
It is important to emphasize that the expanded disclosure envisioned by this bill would apply to only those who fit the definition of a “researcher,” and that “research purpose” is also narrowly defined.
Moreover, the OIP will certainly refine the rules of disclosure for research, adding necessary provisions for confidentiality, security and related matters. This should address any remaining concerns about the effect of expanded disclosure for researchers.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
