Report Title:

Ethics Commission; Enforcement

 

Description:

Makes available to the public, documents relating to charges concerning alleged violations of the ethics code filed against a state employee by a private entity or organization upon final disposition of the charge.  Permits the private person or organization to be apprised of the status of the charge.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

1489

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the state ethics code.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that public disclosure of documents related to a complaint filed with the ethics commission is in the public interest because it furthers public accountability of public officials and helps to vindicate officials whose charges have been denied.

     The purpose of this Act is to make available to the public documents relating to charges concerning alleged violations of the ethics code filed against a state employee by a private entity or organization upon final disposition of the charge.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part IV to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§84-    Charge filed by a person or organization other than the commission.  (a)  If a charge concerning alleged violations of this chapter is filed by a person or organization other than the commission, the following shall be a matter of public record upon final disposition of the charge:

     (1)  Any charge and any answer to the charge;

     (2)  Any rebuttal filed by the person or organization that has filed a charge in response to any answer to the charge, and any response to the rebuttal; and

     (3)  The final disposition of the charge, whether by order to dismiss, issuance of an informal advisory opinion, decision after a hearing, or final disposition by any other means.

     (b)  A person or organization that has filed a charge with the commission shall be informed of the status of the charge upon request."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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