STAND. COM. REP. NO. 712

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 289

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 289 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ETHICS ADMINISTRATIVE FINES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish uniform provisions for the assessment of administrative penalties under the State Ethics Code and Lobbyist Law.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission, one member of the Kauaʻi County Council, and one individual.

Your Committee finds that it is in the public interest to have an efficient and timely resolution of ethics and lobbying cases. Timely resolution of matters before the Ethics Commission promotes the fair adjudication of rights and public transparency. This measure demonstrates the Legislature's commitment to preserving the public's confidence in government institutions while minimizing the burden on respondents and any potential waste of state resources.

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 S.B. No. 289 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