STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1178-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2216

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2216, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the manner in which the State Ethics Commission provides advice and conducts investigations.

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

Your Committee finds that the dynamic nature of the ethical landscape within public service necessitates a continuous evolution of the State's ethics framework. Your Committee believes that a critical element of a strong ethical framework is the capacity to offer prompt advice. This measure enhances the clarity of the advice-seeking process by offering public officials a confidential channel for requesting advice and receiving written summaries.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(2) 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. 2216, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2216, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair