STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2106

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2215

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 S.B. No. 2215 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 84 and 97, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to standards of conduct and lobbyists, respectively.

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. Most jurisdictions have a maximum fine between $5,000 and $10,000 for ethics violations, making the State's existing maximum fine of $1,000 on the lower end of the scale. Your Committee believes that increasing the maximum fine would proactively discourage unethical behavior. This measure will allow the State to maintain the highest standards of ethical behavior among public officials and employees.

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. 2215 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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