STAND. COM. REP. NO. 624

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: S.B. No. 439

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 439 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ADMINISTRATIVE FINES UNDER THE STATE ETHICS CODE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to enable the State Ethics Commission to impose a fine, not to exceed $500, for a violation of the State Ethics Code where no fine is currently authorized.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the State Ethics Commission and the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that despite being responsible for administering the State Ethics Code, the State Ethics Commission lacks the power and authority to issue a fine for violations of the State Ethics Code. By endowing the State Ethics Commission with this authority, your Committee finds that this would deter state officials and employees from engaging in conduct that is prohibited under the State Ethics Code.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 439 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

COLLEEN HANABUSA, Chair