Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 2158 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require elected officials, candidates for elective office, and appointed officers and employees to disclose out-of-state business and real estate interests, in addition to disclosure of in-state interests required under current law.

The Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii State Ethics Commission, and The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supported this bill.

Your Committee intends for this measure to encourage open and honest government. Our constituents recognize that business and property interests outside of the State may have a potential influence on decision-making. As stated in the testimony of the Attorney General, "In a complex society where financial interests and relationships often cross state boundaries, out-of-state holdings may affect the public in Hawaii. The fact that a holding is not 'in the State,' therefore, should not shield the holding from disclosure."

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2158 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.