DAVID Y.

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V\ CLARE E. CONNORS
AflORNEY GENERAL
GOVERNOR I . -
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\ 1-, / DANA 0. VIOLA
FIRST DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL

STATE OF HAWAII
DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
425 QUEEN STREET
HONOLULU, HAWAII 96813
(808) 586-1500

February 15, 2019

INTERDEPARTMENTAL
MEMORANIUM 2019-01

TO: State Departments

FROM: Clare E. Connors

Attorney General

SUBJECT: Legislative Testimony

The purpose of providing legislative testimony is to assist Legislators with

identifying and addressing issues of concern. To ensure each department’s positions
are appropriately and accurately conveyed to Legislators and members of the
public, all legislative testimony submitted by the departments, both written and
oral, shall not contain personal opinions of any kind.

If the individual testifying on behalf of a department is asked for a personal

opinion, s/he shall decline to offer one and instead shall reaffirm that the testimony
submitted is for purposes of providing input and analysis, and not an opinion.

If the individual testifying on behalf of a department has concerns about a

particular matter before the legislature, and believes that s/he is unable to provide
the relevant analysis, these concerns shall be discussed and vetted with the
appropriate supervisor to ensure that no personal opinions are reflected in the
testimony.

Finally, if the individual testifying on behalf of a department is asked a

question by a Legislator that s/he is not prepared to answer for any reason,
including because the testifier is unsure of the department’s position, the testifier
shall respond that s/he will take the inquiry back to the department and
subsequently provide the specific explanation or clarification.

This Interdepartmental Memorandum shall remain in effect indefinitely.