STAND. COM. REP. NO.  359-20

 

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2020

 

RE:   H.B. No. 2120

      H.D. 1

 

 

 

 

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

 

Sir:

 

     Your Committee on Labor & Public Employment, to which was referred H.B. No. 2120 entitled:

 

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

 

begs leave to report as follows:

 

     The purpose of this measure is to amend certain parts of the conflicts of interests provision of the State Ethics Code to include members of the Legislature and justices and judges of all state courts.

 

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Common Cause Hawaii and three individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Judiciary.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Hawaii State Ethics Commission.

 

     Your Committee finds that the conflict of interest law applies differently to legislators, justices, and judges.  This measure specifically includes those state employees in the conflicts of interest provision while maintaining the constitutional protections specifically afforded to legislators when engaged in their legislative functions.

 

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

 

     (1)  Removing constitutional convention delegates from the conflicts of interests law;

 

     (2)  Clarifying that the conflicts of interests law does not prohibit a legislator from introducing legislation, serving on a committee, making statements, or taking action in the exercise of their legislative functions;

 

     (3)  Changing the effective date to January 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

 

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

 

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Labor & Public Employment that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2120, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2120, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

 

 

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment,

 

 

 

 

____________________________

AARON LING JOHANSON, Chair