Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2001

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 902 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the use of Washington Place for political activities.

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

This measure prohibits the Governor from allowing Washington Place to be used for any events intended to solicit funds, support, or votes for any candidate for elective office. This measure tracks with similar restrictions on state employees in using their official position to grant unwarranted privileges or advantages and prohibiting them from using state time, equipment, and facilities for private business purpose. The Commission holds that political campaigning should not occur at what is a state facility supported by state tax dollars.

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. 902 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Judiciary.