Campaign Spending Commission

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 203
February 11, 2009
10:00 a.m. 

Members Present:
Paul Kuramoto, Gino Gabrio, Dean Robb, Michael Weaver
Excused – Steven Olbrich 

Staff Present:
Barbara Wong, Tony Baldomero, Grant Tanimoto, Ellen Kojima

Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 10:00 a.m. with Chairperson Kuramoto presiding.

Chair Kuramoto requested that the agenda be amended to add an executive session to consult with counsel regarding a recently received attorney general opinion.

Commissioner Gabrio moved to amend the agenda to add an executive session.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Robb.  Motion carried unanimously.

Consideration of Minutes:
Commissioner Gabrio moved to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2009 meeting.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Robb.  Motion carried unanimously.

Old Business:
No old business to discuss.

New Business:
No new business to discuss.

Communication to Commission:
Legislation Update

SB 23 – for vehicle purposes, but changes the number of campaign treasurers allowed

SB 24 – for vehicle purposes, but clarifies the law regarding campaign treasurers

SB 93 – Establishes a grace period for return or refund of excess nonresident contributions; requires noncandidate committees to file a report due 7/31 in election years

SB 94 – Increases partial public funding and repeals equalizing fund provisions

SB 95 – Recodification bill

SB 181 – prohibits corporation or company contributions directly from treasury; permits corporation or company contribution of no more than $25,000 from treasury to its noncandidate committee

SB 669 – applies Chapter 11, Subpart B law to candidates for the neighborhood board who receives contributions or  makes expenditure more than $1,000

SB 674 – increases the cap of public funds disbursed under the pilot comprehensive public funding for Hawaii county council election

SB 684 – clarifies time period in which contractors are prohibited from making campaign contributions

SB 1172 – expands prohibition of campaign contributions from  person who holds contracts with the government

HB 215 – Recodification bill

HB 216 – increases partial public funding and repeals equalizing fund provisions

HB 217 – establishes a grace period for return or refund of excess nonresident contributions; requires noncandidate committees to file a report due 7/31 in election years

HB 345 – amends the start of the pilot project for comprehensive public funds of Hawaii county council elections

HB 539  –  prohibits corporation or company contributions directly from treasury; permits corporation or company contribution of no more than $25,000 from treasury to its noncandidate committe

HB 567 – provides two choices for check off donations

HB 777 – clarifies law with regard to campaign treasurers

HB 786 – clarifies time period in which contractors are prohibited from making campaign contributions

Hearings are scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2009 on SB 93, HB 215 and HB 539.

2009 COGEL Conference
Due to the State’s fiscal crisis, the need to cut the number of COGEL conference attendees was discussed and only three will attend in 2009.  Due to frequent First Amendment litigation in the area of campaign finance nationally, changes in public financing, and networking opportunities, etc., the information received at the conference is invaluable.

2009 National Trends in Campaign Finance Law Forum
Also due to the State’s fiscal crisis, Executive Director Wong suggested that the forum be deferred until the economy improves.  There were no objections from commission members.

Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.

Commissioner Weaver moved to convene an executive session to consult with counsel.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Robb.  Motion carried unanimously. – 10:25 a.m.

Public session reconvened – 10:43 a.m.

Commissioner Gabrio moved to adjourn meeting.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Robb.  Motion carried unanimously.  Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m.