STAND. COM. REP. NO.366

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2003

RE: S.B. No. 1635

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 1635 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit businesses and private sector entities from funding all or any part of a State position.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.

Your Committee finds that the public's perception of the integrity of our government is important and should be preserved. If private funds are used to pay a state employee, the appearance of impropriety is raised immediately; many members of the public believe that the entity or person funding the position will receive special treatment or exert undue influence over the state employee.

Therefore, your Committee agrees that this measure is prudent to protect public confidence in our government. Your Committee notes that there are exceptions for some forms of remuneration for employees of the University of Hawaii, and for loaning an employee to a state agency on a temporary basis. Your Committee believes that these exceptions are also prudent and will not erode the basic principles of this measure.

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 S.B. No. 1635 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs.

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

____________________________

CAL KAWAMOTO, Chair