Commission on Organization of Government

Corporate body

Commission on Organization of Government

• COG

1975/1977-02-28

In 1974 the Governor's Ad Hoc Commission on Operations, Revenues and Expenditures (CORE) was formed to study means of lowering costs and raising the efficiency and accountability of the agencies of the State Government. The Ad Hoc Commission had concentrated upon examination of the organization of the government as it actually existed. On its termination, it recommended that a second commission be formed to analyze and expand upon the Ad Hoc Commission's findings.

The Commission on Organization of Government (COG) was created by Act 148 of the 8th Legislature, 1975 Session, in response to the Ad Hoc Commission's recommendation.

On March 18 and 25, 1976, the commission held a series of panel sessions organized according to the Delbecq method, attended by representatives from the State Government and citizens' groups, in order to bring out issues important to these groups, especially relating to the division of powers between State and County agencies. On July 14 through 24 a series of public hearings was held at Hilo, Captain Cook, Honolulu, Lihue and Kahului to present to the public and allow discussion on the proposals of the commission relating to State-County functions. A second series of public hearings, held at Hilo, Honolulu, Wailuku and Lihue, December 10 through 15, presented the commission's proposals on reorganization of the Executive Branch.

The Commission submitted its final Report to the 9th State Legislature on February 1, 1977. Its staff continued "to perform legal work preparing a bill reflecting the commission's recommendations to the Ninth State Legislature..." until February 28, 1977. (Authorization of extension of Agreement between COG and the University of Hawaii Research Corp., February 11, 1977.)

The Commission was empowered to elect a chairman; to appoint and fix compensation for its staff and to appoint advisory committees; to hold hearings and make investigations; to subpoena witnesses and hear their testimony under oath; to examine records of and ask advice from state and county agencies. It was given an appropriation of $130,000 for fiscal year 1975/76. It was asked to submit its preliminary report to the legislature 10 days prior to the adjournment of the 1976 session, its final report 10 days after the convention of the 1977 session, and to disband 90 days after submission of the final report.

The wording of Act 148, by intention and ambiguity, made the range of the Commission's duty to "study and report" very broad. Constrained by limits of time and money, the Commission defined its function (in a response dated August 16, 1976 to Governor's Memo 1976-16):

"Under the general direction of the Governor of the State of Hawaii and the policies promulgated by the commissioners themselves, this commission is engaged in all activities necessary to:

a) define and limit administrative responsibilities between state and county governments;
b) evaluate and shape recommendations for the State executive branch: organizational structure, finances, powers and responsibilities; and
c) examine need for limitations of expenditures to an amount appropriate for effective performance of essential services, activities and functions

in preparation of a report to the 1977 Legislature of the State of Hawaii in accordance with the mandate contained in Act 148 Session Laws of Hawaii 1975."

With the issuance of Governor's Administrative Directive No. 4 (July 11, 1975) and Governor's Memo 1976-10 (March 19, 1976, implementing the machinery for the executive branch's appraisal and review of its existing structure) "...the Commissioners were assured that their own appraisal need not be considered as a technical review and updating of existing functional relationships or a search for means to provide flexibility within institutional settings. Rather, the commissioners were free to offer an outside view of the framework for providing government services and propose bold, new arrangements." (COG Report, P. 17.)

Act 148, Session Laws of Hawaii, 1975

The Commission was to have twelve members, four each appointed by the president of the Senate, the speaker of the House, and the Governor.

• English

Act 148, Session Laws of Hawaii, 1975
Governor's Administrative Directive No. 4 (July 11, 1975)
Governor's Memo 1976-10 (March 19, 1976)
Response to Governor's Memo 1976-16, August 16, 1976
Authorization of extension of Agreement between COG and the University of Hawaii Research Corp., February 11, 1977
Final Report of the Commission on Organization of Government

2021-01-11, Joel Horowitz: Entered into AtoM