Prohibits fundraisers and fundraising activity during the period of the regular legislative session.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Public perception that law making is influenced by legislator's campaign fundraising should be eliminated. During the legislative session, many individuals, businesses, and groups see favorable action on bills from legislators. When legislators solicit campaign donations from these stakeholders while legislation is pending, the public has reason to mistrust the law making process. As a result, the public becomes leery that legislative votes are affected by fundraising activity. Even with pure motive, public perception of the legislature is lowered, along with public trust and confidence in elected leaders.

In the past, bills to prohibit legislative fundraisers during legislative session have been introduced. For example, in 2003, a bill to require public disclosure of fundraising events while the legislature is in session passed the senate, but failed in the house of representatives.

The legislature believes that holding fundraisers after the legislative session has concluded will reduce public suspicion, and result in increased public trust and confidence in our elected leaders.

SECTION 2. Section 11-203, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (c) to read as follows:

"(c) No fundraiser or fundraising activity shall be held during the regular legislative session; further, no fundraiser or fundraising shall be held at any other time unless a notice of intent to hold the function is filed by the person in charge of the function with the commission prior to the date of the function setting forth the name and address of the person in charge, the price per person, the date, hour, and place of the affair and the method thereof."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

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