STAND. COM. REP. NO.  935

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2017

RE:   H.B. No. 508

      H.D. 1

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2017

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 508, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ETHICS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

     (1)  Increase the maximum administrative penalties for violations of Chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) (Standards of Conduct), and Chapter 97, HRS (Lobbyist Law);

     (2)  Clarify that a fine may be assessed or restitution ordered in a settlement agreement under Chapter 84, HRS; and

     (3)  Remove the intent of the respondent as an element of the civil violation of Chapter 97, HRS.

The Hawaii State Ethics Commission, League of Women Voters, Common Cause Hawaii, and a concerned individual supported this measure.  The Hawaii Alliance of Nonprofit Organizations offered comments.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 508, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair