Urging All State And County Agencies Involved In Construction Procurement To Implement Prompt Payment Transparency Measures And Expressing Appreciation To The Public Works Division Of The Department Of Accounting And General Services For Its Efforts.
Summary
SR173 is a Senate resolution urging all state and county agencies involved in construction procurement to adopt prompt-payment transparency measures. The resolution focuses on creating public contractor-payment websites that would show job progress, payments to prime contractors, retainage amounts, and subcontractor payment status, with the goal of improving accountability, fairness, and efficiency in public construction contracting.
The resolution cites Act 291 (2006) as having addressed many prompt-payment issues already, and points to the Department of Accounting and General Services Public Works Division as a model because it already operates a contractor payment website. SR173 also asks agencies to implement such a website within one year, report progress and any proposed legislation to the Legislature before the 2027 session, and explain any barriers if they cannot comply. It further directs certified copies to key state and county officials and industry groups.
Impact
Because SR173 is a resolution rather than a bill, it does not directly amend Hawaii statutes or create enforceable legal requirements. Its practical impact is advisory and administrative: it encourages state and county procurement agencies to adopt public-facing payment transparency tools and to document implementation barriers for possible future legislative action. If followed, it could standardize disclosure practices across agencies involved in construction procurement and improve visibility into retainage and progress payments for contractors and subcontractors.
Sentiment
The available voting history shows strong support and no recorded opposition in committee, with both the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and the Senate Government Operations Committee passing the resolution unanimously, 3-0, and without amendment. The text itself is also affirming in tone, explicitly praising the Public Works Division of DAGS for its existing transparency efforts and presenting that program as a model for others. Overall, the sentiment around the resolution appears favorable and collaborative.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive controversy in the available record. The main issue implied by the resolution is not disagreement over transparency itself, but the practical difficulty some agencies may face in creating and maintaining contractor payment websites. The resolution anticipates this by asking agencies that cannot implement such a system to provide written explanations of barriers, suggesting that implementation capacity, resources, or technical constraints may be the only notable points of concern. Contractors and subcontractors are the primary beneficiaries, while state and county procuring agencies are the entities expected to act.
Same As
Urging All State And County Agencies Involved In Construction Procurement To Implement Prompt Payment Transparency Measures And Expressing Appreciation To The Public Works Division Of The Department Of Accounting And General Services For Its Efforts.
Same As
Urging All State And County Agencies Involved In Construction Procurement To Implement Prompt Payment Transparency Measures And Expressing Appreciation To The Public Works Division Of The Department Of Accounting And General Services For Its Efforts.