STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3112

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 1881

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 1881, H.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to update the maximum administrative fines allowed for violations of chapters relating to standards of conduct and lobbyists.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission.

Your Committee finds that in recent years, instances of ethical violations underscore the need for a more robust deterrent to dissuade individuals from engaging in activities that compromise public trust. Your Committee believes that the current maximum fine of $1,000 under existing law may not always be commensurate with the severity of some ethical violations, and a higher penalty can reflect the gravity of a particular transgression. Your Committee further finds that most other jurisdictions have a maximum fine for ethics violations between $5,000 and $10,000. This measure will allow the State to maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior among public officials and employees and proactively discourage unethical behavior.

Your Committee has amended this measure by making it effective upon its approval.

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. 1881, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1881, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair