STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1817-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.B. No. 2245

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2245, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO REVOLVING DOOR RESTRICTIONS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit new state employees from taking official action on matters they previously worked on during private sector employment; and

(2) Extend existing post-employment lobbying restrictions to include permanent employees of the Offices of the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor.

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

Your Committee finds that the legitimacy of state government is grounded in the expectation that public servants exercise independent judgment untainted by prior private‑sector relationships. Gaps in existing ethics laws may give rise to concerns that official actions are influenced by former employment interests, whether or not such influence actually exists. This measure promotes ethical decision‑making, safeguards governmental integrity, and helps maintain the public's trust in state institutions.

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. 2245, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair