Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) - chair: Will Espero, vice chair: Rosalyn H. Baker

Tuesday, February 5, 2013, 3:45 p.m. Conf Rm 324

Testifier: Janet F. Mason, Vice-President, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view SB835

Chair Espero, Vice Chair Baker, and Committee Members: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii strongly supports SB835, which authorizes the judicial council to nominate persons for appointment to a county ethics commission, when the county's charter or ordinance requires members of the commission to be appointed from nominations made by the judicial council. The selection of County Ethics Commissioners by the judicial council should ensure independence and impartiality of selection. The proposed process would be a reasonable, nonpartisan approach. We also heartily concur with requiring the counties to establish a selection process that ensures minimal involvement by those who are subject to an ethics commission's oversight. Nominees should not be subject to confirmation by the county legislative body. This will help assure the public of consistency in standards that apply to both the state and local governments, and reflect the people's expectations for integrity. We strongly urge you to pass SB835. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in its support.