Report Title:

Lobbyist; Contribution Ban

Description:

Prohibits a lobbyist who lobbies the legislature, principal of a lobbyist, client or agent of lobbyist, and a political action committee on which the lobbyist sits from making a contribution to a member of the legislature, the governor, and lieutenant governor while the legislature is in session.

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	633
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to LOBBYISTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that to enhance public trust in government, steps should be taken to deter allegations concerning potential conflicts of interest in the legislative process.  Specifically, the legislature finds that lobbyists who lobby the legislature should be regulated more stringently to reduce situations where actual or perceived conflicts of interest may be raised.

     The purpose of this Act is to prohibit registered lobbyists who lobby the legislature, principals of these lobbyists, agents and clients of these lobbyists, and any political action committee on which the these lobbyists sit from making a contribution to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature while the legislature is in session.  The purpose of this ban is to eliminate actual or perceived conflicts of interests.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 97, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§97‑   Prohibition on contributions by lobbyists during the legislative session. (a)  No registered lobbyist lobbying the legislature, principal of a lobbyist lobbying the legislature, client of a lobbyist lobbying the legislature, agent of a lobbyist lobbying the legislature, or a political action committee on which a lobbyist lobbying the legislature sits shall make a contribution to:

(1) The governor;

(2) The lieutenant governor; and

(3) A member of the legislature,

when the legislature is convened in regular or special session; provided that for the purposes of this section, the term "contribution" shall not include any gifts of flowers, food, or other items customarily given during the course of a session; provided further that such gifts shall be subject to section 84‑11.

(b)  For purposes of this section:

"Political action committee" shall have the same meaning as "committee" as defined in section 11-191.

"Principal of a lobbyist" means any person or entity that employs, retains, engages, or uses, with or without compensation a lobbyist."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

INTRODUCED BY:

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