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REPORT OF THE <br /> COMMITTEE ON FINANCE <br /> <br /> DATE: January 21, 1997 Re: Comm. No. 85 <br /> <br /> PLACE: Councilroom <br /> <br /> TIME: 10:43 A.M. <br /> <br /> Chair and Members <br /> Hawaii County Council <br /> Hilo, Hawaii 96720 <br /> Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Bill No. 30, reports as follows: <br /> Bill No. 30, transmitted by Board of Ethics Chair Aileen Lum, via Communication No. 85, dated <br /> Januazy 6, 1997, amends Chapter 2, Article 15, Section 2-86 of the Hawaii County Code, relating to <br /> informal advisory opinions. <br /> Section 14-5(f) of the Hawaii County Charter authorizes the Board of Ethics of the County of Hawaii to <br /> propose revisions to the County's Code of Ethics that are not inconsistent with the charter. <br /> The proposed amendments are as follows: 1. Establish asix-year statute of limitations for the filing of a <br /> petition alleging a violation of the Code of Ethics. 2. Allow any County Officer or employee to recover <br /> costs and attorney fees from any person who has filed a petition deemed frivolous by the Boazd of Ethics. <br /> 3. Amend §2-86 to comply with § 13-20(b) of the Hawaii County Charter that requires all meetings of the <br /> Boazd be open to the public unless the Board votes to hear a petition in closed session. 4. Replaces <br /> gender specific language with gender neutral language. <br /> Concerns were expressed by some members, that §2-86(b), paragraph (3), relating to frivolous petitions, <br /> would hinder the public from filing complaints against their governmental officials. By so doing, the <br /> County would potentially further compromise the ability of the public to have a voice in government. <br /> Accordingly, Your Committee amended Bill No. 30, §2-86(b), paragraph (3). <br /> Committee member J. Curtis Tyler also voiced concerns in regard to §2-86(a), relating to closed sessions <br /> for the purpose of considering personal matters affecting the privacy of an individual, stating that he <br /> believes that the language contained therein is not in accordance with the County Charter. <br /> Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the purpose and intent of Bill No. 30, Draft 2, and <br /> recommends it pass first reading. <br /> Ikc <br /> Ayes Noes A&E F,X <br /> Respectfully submitted <br /> CHUNG X <br /> LEITHEAD-TODD X C4l~M~TTEE ON FINANCE <br /> RAY X , ~ l~ <br /> SANTANCELO X ~ , ( ~ <br /> ~ ~ ~ <br /> SMITH X <br /> TvLER x AARON S.Y. HUNG, CHA <br /> vAGONG X FCREPORTNO. 26 <br /> ARAKAKI, E.O.M. X ADOPTED: FFR 0 7 tom <br /> <br />