Youth commission: who serves and how it works

(a) There is established within the office of youth services, for administrative purposes only, a youth commission to advise the governor and legislature on the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the youth of the State. (b) The commission shall: (1) Respond to requests for comment and recommendation on matters referred to it by the governor or legislature; (2) Conduct research and community outreach regarding the needs of the youth of Hawaii, including but not limited to increasing youth participation in government and public policy; (3) Make recommendations addressing the concerns and needs of the youth of Hawaii; and (4) Report to the governor and legislature the activities, goals, and accomplishments of the commission by July 1 of each calendar year beginning on July 1, 2019. (c) The youth commission shall consist of fifteen members between the ages of fourteen and twenty-four and shall not be subject to section 26-34. Of the members: (1) Five members shall be appointed by the governor; provided that the governor shall ensure that each county is represented by at least one appointee; provided further that the governor shall ensure that at least one member is a previous recipient of youth services; (2) Five members shall be appointed by the president of the senate; and (3) Five members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; provided that the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint members representing the diversity of the State. (d) Each member shall be appointed for a term of two years; provided that the initial terms of the appointed members shall be staggered as follows: (1) Six members, two each appointed by the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives, to serve three-year terms; (2) Six members, two each appointed by the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives, to serve two-year terms; and (3) Three members, one each appointed by the governor, the president of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives, to serve one-year terms. (e) The youth commission shall annually elect a chairperson. (f) A majority of the members appointed to the youth commission shall constitute a quorum to do business. Any action taken by the commission shall be validated by a simple majority of the quorum. (g) The youth commission members may invite other individuals to participate in commission activities as temporary, nonvoting members. (h) If the governor, president of the senate, or speaker of the house of representatives fails to appoint a member to the youth commission for any reason within six months after a vacancy occurs, the commission by a majority vote may appoint a person who satisfies the requirements of this section to the commission to fill the vacancy.