Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 438 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to require members of the Board of Regents of the University of Hawaii, the Board of Land and Natural Resources, the Board of Agriculture, and the Hawaiian Homes Commission to file public financial interest disclosure statements with the State Ethics Commission.

Testimony in support of the measure was submitted by the State Ethics Commission, the Hawaiian Homes Commission, and the League of Women Voters of Hawaii. Comments were received from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Your Committee finds that these four boards serve as the executive decision-maker for state departments or agencies and thus should not be excluded from the same financial interest disclosure requirements imposed on other state departments headed by a single executive. Further, your Committee finds that this public disclosure requirement will promote trust and transparency in the operations and management of these executive boards and will not dissuade qualified individuals from serving on these executive boards.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 438 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.