SB8,SD1 – Ethics Commission
THE SENATE
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HAWAII SILVER LEGISLATURE, 2005
S.D.1
STATE OF HAWAII
S.B. NO.
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING TO INCREASING FINES TO $5000 FOR EACH VIOLATION OF LAW
OR RULE THAT FALL WITHIN THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION’S
JURISDICTION.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE SILVER LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The State Ethics Commission (Commission) was
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established in January 1968 to promote and enforce high
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standards of ethical conduct in state government and to preserve
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public confidence in public servants. The Commission's
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responsibilities are to:
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(1)
Administer and enforce standards of conduct provisions of
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the State Ethics Code (relating to matters such as
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conflicts of interests, misuse of confidential
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information, acceptance and reporting of gifts, misuse of
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official position, misuse of state resources,
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representation of clients before state and county
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agencies, and post-employment restrictions);
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(2)
Administer and enforce the financial disclosure
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requirements of the State Ethics Code for state
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officials, employees, board and commission members, and
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candidates for state elective office; and
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(3)
Administer and enforce the State Lobbyists Law.
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pg_0002
SB8,SD1 – Ethics Commission
The Silver Legislature finds that while civil or criminal
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violations of the State Ethics Code and State Lobbyists Law are
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handled by the Office of the Attorney General or the County
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Prosecutor offices, the Commission has limited enforcement
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capabilities.
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The purpose of his Act is to maintain high standards of
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ethical conduct and further discourage behaviors that erode
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public confidence in government by increasing fines for
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violators of laws or rules that fall within the Commission’s
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jurisdiction.
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SECTION 2. The State Ethics Commission shall increase
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fines by $5000 for each incident for individuals or entities
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found in violation of laws or rules within the Commission’s
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jurisdiction.
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SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
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