STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1626

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 1493

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 1493, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LOBBYISTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prohibit during, shortly before, and shortly after legislative sessions any lobbyist contributions and expenditures and promises of contributions or expenditures to any elected official, candidate, candidate committee, or individual who is required to file an organizational report with the Campaign Spending Commission.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i State Ethics Commission, Campaign Spending Commission, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure would reduce the negative perception surrounding the timing of contributions and expenditures to public officials from individuals or organizations that have an interest in matters pending before the Legislature during session.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Requiring that any prohibited lobbyist contribution escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund;

(2) Amending the definition of "lobbyist" as it relates to prohibited contributions and expenditures to mean any person actively registered as a lobbyist with a state or county ethics board or commission;

(3) Changing the effective date to June 30, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1493, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1493, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair