STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1179-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2217

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. 2217 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REPORTING PERIODS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Establish a phased process for adjusting the reporting period for gift disclosures filed with the State Ethics Commission to conform with the state fiscal year; and

(2) Provide for the electronic filing of statements required by the State Ethics Commission.

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

Your Committee finds that the reporting periods for legislators and state employees to disclose gifts to the State Ethics Commission do not line up with the State's fiscal year, which begins on July 1 and ends on June 30 of the next year. Your Committee further finds that existing law regarding statements required to be filed with the State Ethics Commission does not provide for statements to be filed electronically, which would streamline the process and make it easier to submit statements. This measure will align gift reporting requirements with the State's fiscal year and promote efficiency and effectiveness in the administration and enforcement of the State Ethics Code and lobbyist laws.

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. 2217, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2217, 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