THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1371

TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE, 2011

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES.

 

 

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

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that financial disclosure statements filed by members of boards and commissions with the state ethics commission are not made public.  Some board members are vested with authority to run departments, and are thus entrusted with significant policy and financial decisions.  This Act identifies ten boards and commissions whose members file financial disclosures that are not released for public review, but who exercise authority equivalent to executive branch departments headed by a single executive.

     Confidential disclosures keep the public unaware of potential conflicts of interest between a board or commission's work and their members' personal affairs.  While the confidential disclosure statements are received and reviewed by the state ethics commission, the commission is generally not aware of the issues that the approximately one hundred fifty boards and commissions handle on a day-to-day basis.  Individuals who deal with these boards and commissions are in the best position to determine whether board or commission members have conflicts of interest.  Public disclosure statements are necessary so that those who appear before boards and commissions can assure themselves that board or commission members have no conflicts of interest, or if they do, that they may recuse themselves.

     The legislature further finds that public disclosure statements build public confidence in state government.  While some board and commission members may feel reluctant to serve if required to make public financial disclosures, the legislature finds that the interests of the public outweigh these concerns when members are charged with significant discretionary and fiscal powers.

     The purpose of this Act is to make ethics requirements consistent between public officials exercising equivalent authority and to assure the public that these public officials are performing their duties without conflicts of interest.

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

     "§84-    Financial disclosure of certain boards and commissions.  The financial disclosure statements of the following boards and commissions shall be public records and available for inspection and duplication:

     (1)  The board of agriculture;

     (2)  The Hawaii community development authority;

     (3)  The board of trustees of the employees' retirement system;

     (4)  The Hawaiian homes commission;

     (5)  The board of land and natural resources;

     (6)  The land use commission;

     (7)  The public utilities commission;

     (8)  The board of directors of the research corporation of the University of Hawaii;

     (9)  The board of regents of the University of Hawaii; and

    (10)  The Hawaii tourism authority;

provided that with respect to any person described in this section, the value of the financial interests shall be redacted prior to public inspection or duplication."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.


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

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Public Financial Disclosure Statements; Boards and Commissions

 

Description:

Requires members of certain boards and commissions to file financial disclosure statements.  Requires redaction of value of financial interests prior to disclosure or duplication.

 

 

 

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