STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1159

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 137

H.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 137, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOBBYISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to, beginning January 1, 2025, require the statement of expenditures filed by lobbyists and other persons who engage in lobbying activities to include certain information on the identity of the legislative or administrative action that was commented on, supported by, or opposed by the person filing the statement during the statement period.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission, Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State's lobbying laws are intended to provide transparency around lobbyist activity. This measure furthers that purpose by requiring specific descriptions of the legislative measures and other details on which the lobbyist engaged, versus a broad reference to the subject area. While this may put an additional burden on lobbyists, the net benefit to the public greatly outweighs the burden.

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. 137, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair