House Committee on Judiciary (JUD) - chair: Waters, vice chair: Oshiro

Tuesday, February 20, 2007, 2:00 p.m. Room 325

Testifier: JoAnn Maruoka, Legislative Committee member, LWV-Hawaii

Click here to view HB910

The League of Women Voters supports H.B. 910, to amend Section 84-17 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to add members of certain executive boards of state departments required to file public financial disclosure statements. We feel that when board or commission members are responsible for decisions or advice on matters such as contractual issues, rulings, rule-making or contested case hearings, it is in the public interest to be able to know if any member has a personal financial or economic stake in the matter. It is appropriate and necessary to ensure propriety, and to help maintain public confidence. The proposed additions of the members of the UH board of regents, and the members of board of land and natural resources, the board of agriculture, and the Hawaiian homes commission are in keeping with their powers. The requirement for public financial disclosure would be in consonance with the scope and power associated with their responsibilities and authority. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of H.B. 910.