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IT 1 LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS' HAWAII COUNTY P.O. BOX 665, HILO, HI 96721 ' TESTIMONY ON BILL 230, RELATING TO THE CODE OF ETHICS Hawai'i County Council Committee on Finance Tuesday, April 6, 2010 10:30 a.m. Conference Room Testifier: Helen Hemmes, President, League of Women Voters of Hawaii County Chair Onishi, Vice Chair Ikeda and Members, The League of Women Voters of Hawaii Island strongly supports the proposed amendments to the County Code of Ethics. In this time of badly eroded public trust, we feel it's vital that every effort be made to address ethics requirements correctly and well. We believe that appropriately strengthening the Code will help foster ethical behavior and prevent ethical lapses. The amendments to prohibit County employees from contracting with the County and to prohibit County agencies from contracting with a County employee address a core issue in conflict of interest by precluding personal financial or economic gain in areas that are paid with public monies. The amendment to ban County employees from representing a third party who appears before County agencies unless authorized by ordinance goes far to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all by precluding special privilege or advantage to "insiders." Together, these three requirements reduce the risk of perceived and real misuse of power and inappropriate favoritism. They will also encourage ethical behavior; helping to make it "a must" in public service. The amendment to redefine "agency" is appropriately comprehensive and closes loopholes. The proposed amendments are sound, prudent and in the best interest of the County, the public served, and those who are subject to the code. Not only do they offer needed clarification, they reflect the people's expectations for integrity in the conduct of the public's business. We strongly urge you to incorporate them to update and strengthen the Code. Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments in support of the bill. Our Mission Statement The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.