Minutes for April 12, 2006

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
April 12, 2006
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
Gary Kam, Deputy Attorney General

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

Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Robb moved to accept the minutes of March 8, 2006, Mr. Weaver seconded.  Motion carried.

New Business:
Draft Conciliation Agreement 06-03  Russell Figueiroa
The proposed draft agreement is offered to settle claims of false name and excess contributions made to the campaigns of Arnold Morgado, Ben Cayetano, Jeremy Harris and Mazie Hirono.  Staff recommends and Respondent has agreed to a fine of $50,800.  The fine is based on confirmed false name and excess contributions.

Mr. Gabrio moved to accept conciliation agreement as proposed, Mr. Robb seconded.  Motion carried.

Draft Conciliation Agreement 06-04  Kusao & Kurahashi, Inc.
The proposed draft agreement is offered to settle claims of excess contributions made to the Jeremy Harris campaign between 1997 and 2000.  Respondent self reported to the Commission that they made one excess contribution and have agreed to a fine of $500.

For the record – Chair Kuramoto informed Commission that Respondent was a former employer and he has done consulting work for them.

Mr. Robb moved to approve the conciliation agreement, Mr. Weaver seconded. Motion carried.

Communication to Commission:
F.E.C.’s C.F.R. on Internet Communications
Because there has been more political activity on the internet, commissioners were provided a very brief overview on  federal law and rules regarding political activity on the internet.

Candidate Web-Based Filing System
Continuing to work with ICSD to develop a web-based filing system for candidate use.  Once the scope and timeline of the project has been defined, will meet with ICSD to determine whether to continue in-house or contract out in order to meet the November deadline.

City Council Resolution 06-66 CD 1
Resolution asks that the Commission create and periodically update a report identifying state and county contractors prohibited from making campaign contributions under Act 203.  However, the resolution has no force of law.

Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Robb moved convene executive session to consult with counsel regarding a pending investigation, Mr. Weaver seconded.  Motion carried.

Public session reconvened – No further matters to be discussed.
Mr. Weaver moved to adjourn meeting, Mr. Robb seconded.  Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.