Bill Text: HI HB708 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating To Lobbyists.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-12-11 - Carried over to 2024 Regular Session. [HB708 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB708-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	708
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO LOBBYISTS.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that the house of representatives adopted House Resolution No. 9 (2022) to establish the commission to improve standards of conduct.  The resolution requests the commission ensure state laws and rules relating to standards of conduct of public officers and employees contain clear standards, enforcement, and penalties and provide recommendations to increase awareness of, compliance with, and deterrent effects of the code of ethics, lobbying laws, campaign finance laws, and other relevant laws and rules.

     Pursuant to House Resolution No. 9, the commission to improve standards of conduct convened regularly throughout 2022 to diligently review, discuss, and consider the issues presented, submitted an interim report to the house of representatives outlining areas of immediate and long-term focus, then continued its work with input from the public and invited individuals and agencies to issue a final report with various recommendations and accompanying proposed legislation.

     The legislature also finds that the strength and stability of our democratic government rely upon the public's trust in government institutions, including the expectation that officers act ethically with prudence, integrity, and sound judgement.  Therefore, an essential goal of the commission was to provide recommendations that would help restore public trust in state government and increase the level of transparency in its operations and accountability of individuals.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to implement recommendations of the commission to improve standards of conduct by amending the information contained in the statement of expenditures reports that lobbyists and other individuals are required to file with the Hawaii state ethics commission.

     SECTION 2.  Section 97-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

     "(c)  The statement shall contain the following information:

     (1)  The name and address of each person with respect to whom expenditures for the purpose of lobbying in the total sum of $25 or more per day was made by the person filing the statement during the statement period and the amount or value of the expenditure;

     (2)  The name and address of each person with respect to whom expenditures for the purpose of lobbying in the aggregate of $150 or more was made by the person filing the statement during the statement period and the amount or value of the expenditures;

     (3)  The total sum or value of all expenditures for the purpose of lobbying made by the person filing the statement during the statement period; provided that the sum or value of each expenditure is itemized in the following categories, as applicable:

          (A)  Preparation and distribution of lobbying materials;

          (B)  Media advertising;

          (C)  Compensation paid to lobbyists;

          (D)  Fees paid to consultants for services;

          (E)  Entertainment and events;

          (F)  Receptions, meals, food, and beverages;

          (G)  Gifts;

          (H)  Loans;

          (I)  Interstate transportation, including incidental meals and lodging; and

          (J)  Other disbursements;

     (4)  The name and address of each person making contributions to the person filing the statement for the purpose of lobbying in the total sum of $25 or more during the statement period and the amount or value of the contributions; and

     (5)  The [subject area] identity, by bill number, resolution number, and if applicable, budget cost or program identification number, or other similar identifier, of the legislative [and] or administrative action that was commented on, supported by, or opposed by the person filing the statement during the statement period."

     SECTION 3  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

Report Title:

Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct; Lobbyists; Disclosure; Statement of Expenditures; Reporting; Hawaii State Ethics Commission

 

Description:

Amends the information in the statement of expenditures reports that lobbyists and other individuals are required to file with the Hawaii state ethics commission to include the identity, by bill number, resolution number, or other similar identifier, of the legislative or administrative action that was commented on, supported by, or opposed by the person filing the statement.

 

 

 

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