Informing the Legislature that on July 2, 2024, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1597 HD1 SD1 (ACT 160).

This bill, signed into law by Governor Josh Green on July 2, 2024, updates Hawaii's open meetings law to better align it with the state's Uniform Information Practices Act. It directly affects members of the public who wish to challenge board decisions regarding public meetings by clarifying their right to sue and recover attorney's fees if they win. Key changes include establishing a two-year time limit for filing lawsuits, requiring plaintiffs to notify the Office of Information Practices so it may intervene, and mandating that courts prioritize cases seeking to void a board's final action. Additionally, the law specifies that courts will review these cases anew rather than relying solely on previous administrative rulings, while preventing boards from challenging those same administrative decisions.