February 28, 2019 •
Hawaii Proposed Bill Progresses Through Legislature
A proposed House bill relating to campaign reports is progressing through the Legislature, passing its third reading and arriving in the Senate. House Bill 165 would require candidates who do not intend to receive or spend more than $1,000 in […]
A proposed House bill relating to campaign reports is progressing through the Legislature, passing its third reading and arriving in the Senate.
House Bill 165 would require candidates who do not intend to receive or spend more than $1,000 in an election period to notify the Campaign Spending Commission of this intention by June 30 of an election year.
The bill further provides that noncandidate committees that do not receive or spend more than $1,000 in an election period must notify the commission of this intention by the fifth day before the due date of the preliminary report.
The proposed bill would take effect upon its approval.
February 4, 2019 •
Honolulu Announces Special Election for City Council District 4
A special election will take place on Saturday, April 13, to fill a vacancy in Honolulu City Council District 4. The Hawaii Supreme Court invalidated the results of the November special election that showed incumbent Trevor Ozawa beating challenger Tommy […]
A special election will take place on Saturday, April 13, to fill a vacancy in Honolulu City Council District 4.
The Hawaii Supreme Court invalidated the results of the November special election that showed incumbent Trevor Ozawa beating challenger Tommy Waters by 22 votes.
The invalidation triggered a mail-in special election for the candidates.
There will be a voter registration deadline of March 14. Early walk-in voting will take place at Honolulu Hale between April 1 and April 13, excluding Sunday.
City Council District 4 runs from Hawai’i Kai to Waikiki.
January 11, 2019 •
Hawaii Proposed Legislation Seeks to Change Campaign Finance Laws
The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission submitted four measures for introduction in the 2019 legislative session, proposing changes for Super PACs, candidate committees and electioneering communications. Proposal CSC-01 (19) would change the disclosure date for electioneering communications to when the electioneering […]
The Hawaii Campaign Spending Commission submitted four measures for introduction in the 2019 legislative session, proposing changes for Super PACs, candidate committees and electioneering communications.
Proposal CSC-01 (19) would change the disclosure date for electioneering communications to when the electioneering communication is publicly distributed rather than when the contract for the electioneering communication is executed. Additionally, the expenditure aggregate would be increased to $2,000, all mailings and not just those sent at bulk rate would be covered, and candidate and noncandidate committees would be required to file statements of information.
Proposal CSC-02 (19) would require candidate committees to file a first Preliminary General Report on October 1.
Proposal CSC-03 (19) would impose a $5,000 fine on Super PACs that received at least one contribution of more than $10,000 from any one person or spent more than $10,000 aggregate in an election period and would permit the fine to be up to three times the amount of the unlawful contribution or expenditure. The measure would also call for the fine to be paid from the personal funds of an officer of the noncandidate committee.
Finally, Proposal CSC-04 (19) would require candidates who do not intend to have more than $1,000 in activity to provide notice to the Commission of such intent by June 30 of an election year and to require noncandidate committees who do not intend to have more than $1,000 in activity to provide notice to the Commission of such intent by the fifth calendar day prior to the due date of the Preliminary Primary Report.
December 7, 2018 •
Hawaii Announces New Electronic Filing System
The Hawaii Ethics Commission will launch a new electronic filing system for lobbying registrations and disclosures beginning in January 2019, allowing lobbyists and organizations to register online for the 2019-2020 legislative biennium. Lobbyists who plan to continue lobbying in 2019 […]
The Hawaii Ethics Commission will launch a new electronic filing system for lobbying registrations and disclosures beginning in January 2019, allowing lobbyists and organizations to register online for the 2019-2020 legislative biennium.
Lobbyists who plan to continue lobbying in 2019 must renew registrations by Monday, January 28, 2019. Commission staff are available to assist lobbyists who have already registered for the 2019-2020 lobbying period via a paper filing.
Lobbying expenditure reports for 2019 may be submitted electronically through the new e-filing system as early as March 2019.
July 16, 2018 •
Hawaii Senate Confirms Judicial Nominees
The 29th Hawaii State Legislature adjourned its first special session on Tuesday, July 10. Lawmakers convened the two-day session to confirm Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald’s judicial nominations for various district courts. The Senate confirmed Kenneth J. Shimozono, Mahilani E.K. Hiatt, […]
The 29th Hawaii State Legislature adjourned its first special session on Tuesday, July 10.
Lawmakers convened the two-day session to confirm Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald’s judicial nominations for various district courts.
The Senate confirmed Kenneth J. Shimozono, Mahilani E.K. Hiatt, and Wendy M. Deweese for six-year terms on the District Family Court of the First Circuit.
Kristine Y. Yoo was confirmed to a six-year term on the District Court of the First Circuit.
May 4, 2018 •
NYCU Video Digest – May 4, 2018
We know you don’t always have time to read news from all around the country, so here it is in this week’s 2 minute News You Can Use Video Digest!
We know you don’t always have time to read news from all around the country, so here it is in this week’s 2 minute News You Can Use Video Digest!
May 4, 2018 •
Hawaii Legislature Adjourns Sine Die
The 2018 session of the Hawaii State Legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday, May 3. Senate Bill 2154 passed and was transmitted to the governor upon adjournment. If Gov. Ige signs the bill, noncandidate committees will no longer be required […]
The 2018 session of the Hawaii State Legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday, May 3.
Senate Bill 2154 passed and was transmitted to the governor upon adjournment. If Gov. Ige signs the bill, noncandidate committees will no longer be required to include contributor information on their campaign finance organizational reports.
The Legislature will reconvene in regular session at 10 a.m. on January 16, 2019.
March 23, 2018 •
Hawaii State Rep. Joe Souki to Resign Amid Harassment Allegations
Former Hawaii House Speaker Joseph Souki is being forced to resign after admitting to inappropriately touching and kissing multiple women over his legislative tenure. His resignation is part of a State Ethics Commission settlement agreement stemming from allegations filed by […]
Former Hawaii House Speaker Joseph Souki is being forced to resign after admitting to inappropriately touching and kissing multiple women over his legislative tenure.
His resignation is part of a State Ethics Commission settlement agreement stemming from allegations filed by multiple women.
The Commission agreed to resolve the matter if Souki resigns by March 30, issues a public apology, pays an administrative fine, and does not seek public office for two years.
Souki, 86, has served in the Hawaii State Legislature since 1982.
January 30, 2018 •
Hawaii Lieutenant Governor Announces Resignation to Become Lobbyist
Hawaii Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui announced he will be resigning on Wednesday to join a lobbying and public affairs firm as senior vice president. In his announcement, Tsutsui cited the difficulty of working on Oahu with his family being on […]
Hawaii Lt. Gov. Shan Tsutsui announced he will be resigning on Wednesday to join a lobbying and public affairs firm as senior vice president.
In his announcement, Tsutsui cited the difficulty of working on Oahu with his family being on Maui, and the new job will allow him to be on the same island as his family.
Hawaii’s revolving door restrictions only apply to legislators and employees of the Legislature.
November 7, 2017 •
Hawaii Special Session Scheduled
The Hawaii Senate is scheduled to convene a two-day special legislative session on Tuesday, November 14, to confirm 4 judicial appointments. Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald appointed Jessi […]
The Hawaii Senate is scheduled to convene a two-day special legislative session on Tuesday, November 14, to confirm 4 judicial appointments.
Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald appointed Jessi Hall to the First District Family Court Judge and Gov. Ige appointed Paul Wong, Matthew Viola, and Rowena Somerville to the First Circuit Court.
Each Circuit Court judge will serve a 10-year term while the Family Court appointment has a six-year term.
September 28, 2017 •
Hawaii Lawmakers Confirm Judicial Appointments in Second Special Legislative Session
The Hawaii Senate convened a two-day special legislative session on Monday, September 25, to confirm two judicial appointments. Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Gov. Ige had appointed former Third District Family Court Judge […]
The Hawaii Senate convened a two-day special legislative session on Monday, September 25, to confirm two judicial appointments.
Choosing from a list of candidates selected by the Judicial Selection Committee, Gov. Ige had appointed former Third District Family Court Judge Henry T. Nakamoto and attorney Robert D.S. Kim to the Third Circuit Court.
Each judge will serve a 10-year term.
August 28, 2017 •
Hawaii Legislature to Convene Special Legislative Session
State legislative leadership submitted a proclamation on Thursday, August 24, to call the Hawaii Legislature into special session on Monday, August 28, 2017. The proclamation was filed at the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house. Lawmakers […]
State legislative leadership submitted a proclamation on Thursday, August 24, to call the Hawaii Legislature into special session on Monday, August 28, 2017.
The proclamation was filed at the written request of two-thirds of the members of each house.
Lawmakers are expected to consider a bill drafted by committee chairs to fund the completion of the rail project on Oahu.
July 14, 2017 •
Hawaii Lawmakers Plan for Special Legislative Session
Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki recently sent a memorandum to the Hawaii Legislature providing notice of a tentatively scheduled special legislative session. Subject to final confirmation and an agreement on the proposed language for bills […]
Hawaii Senate President Ron Kouchi and House Speaker Scott Saiki recently sent a memorandum to the Hawaii Legislature providing notice of a tentatively scheduled special legislative session.
Subject to final confirmation and an agreement on the proposed language for bills to be discussed, the leadership asked all lawmakers to be in Hawaii for a legislative session from August 28 to September 1, 2017.
The purpose of the special session will be to create a solution to fund the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
June 26, 2017 •
Hawaii Governor Signs Ethics and Lobbying Bills into Law
On Thursday, June 22, Gov. David Ige signed three bills amending state lobbying and ethics laws. Among other things, the bills double the maximum administrative fine the State Ethics Commission may impose for violations of ethics or lobbying laws, amends […]
On Thursday, June 22, Gov. David Ige signed three bills amending state lobbying and ethics laws.
Among other things, the bills double the maximum administrative fine the State Ethics Commission may impose for violations of ethics or lobbying laws, amends various lobbying-related definitions, allows a former lobbyist employer to file a notice of termination when a lobbyist fails to do so, and clarifies lobbyist reporting requirements related to special legislative sessions.
The bills were effective upon approval.
Photo of Gov. Ige By Dallas Nagata White via Wikimedia Commons
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