Report Title:

Prohibited Activities in State Offices and Buildings

Description:

Includes private citizens and entities in prohibition of campaign communications in state offices and buildings. (SD1)

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2482

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to prohibited activities in state offices or buildings.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that while state employees and legislators are prohibited in the ethics code from using state resources for campaign purposes, including sending campaign-related communications to state offices, there is no similar prohibition for private citizens.

The purpose of this Act is to prohibit any person or organization from sending campaign communications to any state office or building, and sets a fine of not more that $500 for violations.

SECTION 2. Chapter 84, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§84-   Campaign communications in state offices or buildings. (a) No state official, state legislator, or state employee, in any state office or building where official business is conducted, shall solicit in any manner or send, mail, or otherwise deliver any solicitation for any contribution of money, other things of value, complimentary fundraiser tickets, or similar invitations for any political purpose.

(b) No person, campaign organization, group of persons acting in concert, for-profit corporation, not-for-profit corporation, or organization or entity, in areas of any state office or building where official business is conducted, shall solicit in any manner from any state official, state legislator, or state employee or send, mail, or otherwise deliver to any person any solicitation for any contribution of money, other things of value, complimentary fundraiser tickets, or similar invitations for any political purpose.

(c) Any person who knowingly violates this section shall be fined not more that $500 by the state ethics commission. Each date of violation shall constitute a separate offense. Any action taken to impose or collect the fine provided in this subsection shall be considered a civil action."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun, before its effective date.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on January 1, 2010.