HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0779.000 2004-2006
BOARD OF ETHICS
101 Aupuni Street, Suite 325, Hilo, Hawaii 96720
March 8, 2006
Honorable Stacy Higa, Chair
Hawaii County Council
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 -
Re: Proposed Amendment to the Hawai `i County Code of Ethics
Dear Mr. Higa:
The Board of Ethics recently considered a petition concerning Section 2-91.3 of the
Hawaii County Code, which requires the registration of lobbyists with the County Clerk.
During the course of its consideration of the issues involved in lobbyist registration, a question
was raised as to why the County Code exempted attorneys from registering as lobbyists if they
were acting in that capacity. The Board considered whether this exemption was appropriate and
noted that the State Code of Ethics does not exempt attorneys from registering as lobbyists.
Consequently, the Board voted to propose that the Hawaii County Code be amended so that the
exemption for attorneys registering as lobbyists be removed, thereby ensuring our consistency
with the State Code.
Attached for the Council's consideration is a draft amendment to the Hawaii County
Code which would delete the exemption provided to attorneys. Thank you for your
consideration of this matter. I will be happy to answer any questions the Council might have
about the proposed amendment.
Sincerely,
eve Williams, Chair
Board of Ethics
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Attachment
cc: Honorable Harry Kim, Mayor
s.\b&c\boe\2005-07 re lobbyists\Itr to council 3-M6 pko/mw-mc
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