STAND. COM. REP. NO.2977

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2002

RE: H.B. No. 1093

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 1093 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE USE OF WASHINGTON PLACE FOR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the use of Washington Place for political activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission (Commission), Common Cause Hawaii, the League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and a concerned citizen.

This measure prohibits the Governor from allowing Washington Place to be used for any events intended to solicit funds, support, or votes for any candidate for elective office. This measure tracks with similar restrictions on state employees in using their official position to grant unwarranted privileges or advantages and prohibiting them from using state time, equipment, and facilities for private business purpose. The Commission holds that political campaigning should not occur at what is a state facility supported by state tax dollars.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1093, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations,

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair