Bill Text: HI SB2869 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

Hawaii Senate Bill 2869 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Lobbyists; Contribution Disclosure Statement

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2010-01-28 - (S) Referred to JGO. [SB2869 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2010-SB2869-Introduced.html

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	2869
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
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 section 97-3, Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires a lobbyist to file a statement of expenditures that includes expenditures made by the lobbyist, as well as contributions made to the lobbyist, for the purpose of lobbying in the total sum of $25 during the statement period.

Section 84-11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, also prohibits legislators and employees from receiving a gift under circumstances in which it can reasonably be inferred that the gift is intended to influence the legislator or employee in the performance of the legislator's or employee's official duties or is intended as a reward for any official action on the legislator's or employee's part.

In recent years, public officials and employees subject to the state ethics code, chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, have received contributions, including gifts, that have not been reported because the lobbyist did not seek to lobby these persons on a specific matter. The legislature finds that gifts from lobbyists to public officials assist in developing positive relationships that aid in lobbyists' later efforts to influence the actions of these officials. The legislature further finds that contributions from lobbyists to persons subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, should be disclosed regardless of the intent of the contribution.

The purpose of this Act is to require the reporting of lobbyists' contributions made to persons subject to chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, regardless of the total sum or value, or the intent of the contribution.

SECTION 2. Chapter 97, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§97- Lobbyists' reporting of contributions. (a) Notwithstanding other reporting requirements, every lobbyist shall file a contribution disclosure statement with the state ethics commission on June 30 of each year.

(b) The contribution disclosure statement shall include all contributions as defined in section 97-1, regardless of the intent of the contribution and whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing, or promise, or in any other form, that the lobbyist gives to a person subject to chapter 84."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2010.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Lobbyists; Contribution Disclosure Statement

Description:

Requires that lobbyists file contribution disclosure statements annually. Requires the statements to include all contributions, regardless of intent, given to any public officer, employee, or candidate to elected office of the State who is subject to chapter 84.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.