The Hawaii League of Women Voters delivered testimony on the financial disclosure law to the Hawaii State Ethics Commission, Sept. 24, 2014.

1. 49 South Hotel Street, Room 314 | Honolulu, HI 96813
www.lwv-hawaii.com | 808.531.7448 | voters@lwv-hawaii.com
HAWAII STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
Wednesday, September 24, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
Hawaii State Ethics Commission Conference Room
American Savings Bank Tower
1001 Bishop Street, Suite 960
Honolulu, HI 96813
TESTIMONY
Chair Broglio and Commissioners:
The League of Women Voters is concerned about proper implementation of Act 230 Session Laws of
Hawaii 2014. For this reason, the League requests that the State Ethics Commission publicly disclose
any written legal advice from the State Attorney General, or any other party, which might justify the
Commission’s decision not to publicly release financial disclosure statements filed in calendar year 2014
by active members of the 15 state boards subject to Act 230.
The League thanks the Ethics Commission for promptly releasing state board financial disclosure
statements filed after Act 230’s effective date (July 8, 2014). However, we are concerned that the
Commission has not released most state board financial disclosure statements filed prior to July 8, 2014.
Act 230 does not distinguish between financial disclosure statements filed prior to its effective date and
those filed after its effective date. Nothing in the legislative history of Act 230 suggests that either the
Legislature, interested parties who testified, or the Governor believed that Act 230 did not apply to
financial disclosure statements filed before the Act’s effective date. In Governor’s Message No. 1340
(posted on the Commission’s website), the Governor complained that
Subjecting current members of boards and commissions to the public disclosure of their private
business and financial information now, after they agreed to serve and were confirmed by the
Senate, or alternatively, causing them to resign if they do not agree to the required public
disclosure, is unfair.
The League does not agree with the Governor’s complaint. In fact we believe it is unreasonable and
unfair to disregard the clear legislative mandate of Act 230 without any public explanation. This is why
we seek release of the Attorney General’s opinion letter.
Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony.