SB 2597 Summary

• Establishes written record requirements for legislators who receive protocol gifts on behalf of the State or either house of the legislature, including description, date received, donor identity, storage location, and disposition details.

• Requires each legislator to exercise reasonable care in maintaining protocol gifts, which remain state property regardless of whether the legislator remains in office.

• Permits protocol gifts to remain in the legislator's office for the successor, be transferred to state archives, or be transferred to the state foundation on culture and the arts upon the legislator's term end.

• Defines "protocol gift" as a tangible and nonperishable present tendered to or received by a legislator from an individual donor, government agency, entity, or organization.

• Excludes protocol gifts of any value received by legislators on behalf of the State or either house from gift disclosure reporting requirements under Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 84-11.5.