HI SR84

Requests the Hawaii State Ethics Commission to establish a task force to review lobbyist disclosure laws and recommend legislation to improve transparency and public disclosure of lobbyist expenditures.

Task force shall comprise six members: the Ethics Commission Executive Director, two registered lobbyists, two public interest group representatives, and two news media representatives selected by legislative leaders.

Task force directed to review lobbyist reporting requirements including who must file, filing frequency, required disclosure information, contractual relationships with elected officials, campaign contributions, and gifts or meals paid by lobbyists.

Task force shall examine current disclosure procedures, analyze recent lobbyist reports to identify transparency gaps, and review best practices from other states and federal level for potential implementation in Hawaii.

Task force must submit findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2013 Regular Session convening and ceases to exist upon adjournment of that session.