HB1 - No Fundrasing During the Session.doc

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2005

STATE OF HAWAII

H.B. NO.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO PROHIBITING FUNDRAISING DURING THE LEGISLATIVE

SESSION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE SILVER LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The public perception that law making is

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influenced by Legislators' campaign fundraising should be

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eliminated. During the Legislative session, many individuals,

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businesses, and groups seek from Legislators favorable action on

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bills. When Legislators solicit campaign donations from these

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stakeholders while legislation is pending, the public has reason

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to mistrust the law making process. As a result, the public

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becomes leery that legislative votes are affected by fundraising

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activity. Even with pure motives, public perception of the

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Legislature is lowered, along with public trust and confidence

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in elected leaders.

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In the past, bills to prohibit legislative fundraisers

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during the session have been introduced. For example, in 2003,

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a bill to require public disclosure of fundraising events while

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the Legislature is in session passed the Senate, but failed in

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the House.

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The Silver Legislature believes that moving fundraisers to

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after the legislative session will reduce public suspicion, and

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result in increased public trust and confidence in our elected

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leaders.

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SECTION 2. The Hawaii Revised Statues is amended by adding

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new language to read: “No fundraiser or fundraising activity

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shall be held during the regular legislative session.”

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SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

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