STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1096-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3350

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 Labor & Government Operations, to which was referred S.B. No. 3350, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC SERVICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require that judicial appointees file the same financial disclosures that are required of other state officials; and

(2) Require the Commission on Salaries to consider the deterrence of bribery and corruption when making its salary recommendations.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Judiciary.

Your Committee finds that various public officials are required to file annual financial disclosure statements with the State Ethics Commission. The public disclosure of their sources of income enhances public trust because the disclosure tends to reduce real and perceived conflicts of interest. This measure holds judicial appointees to the same financial disclosure standards as other state officials, which will promote public trust and aid the State Ethics Commission in identifying and addressing, if needed, any potential conflicts of interest to ensure the highest levels of integrity in the judicial system.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding a definition for "appointee for a judge or justice";

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

(3) 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 Labor & Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3350, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3350, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Labor & Government Operations,

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair