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 HB975

The League of Women Voters concurs with the intent of H.B. 975 to lower the acceptable aggregate value of a gift or gifts from one source for required filing of a gifts disclosure statement with the state ethics commission each year. Reducing the reporting threshold to 50% of the current, from $200 to $100, appears to be sound, and a reasonable step forward in effectively reforming the lobbying process. Such gift restrictions, especially in conjunction with other related contribution limits, will help protect against actual or perceived corruption, and begin to rebuild public confidence at a time when many feel, as we do, that greater accountability is needed. . Thank you for the opportunity to testify in support of H.B. 975.