Minutes for April 17, 2002
Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
April 17, 2002
3:00 p.m.
Members Present:
Della Au Belatti, Clifford Muraoka, Mona Chock, Richard Choy
Staff Present:
Robert Watada, Jon Itomura, Ellen Kojima
Gary Kam, Deputy Attorney General
Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 3:00 p.m. with Commissioner Belatti presiding.
Consideration of Minutes:
Ms. Chock moved to accept the minutes of March 13, 2002, Mr. Choy seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Docket #02-02 In Re the Matter of Jeremy Harris, The Harris 2002 Campaign and Roger Liu
Executive Director Watada informed commissioners that the complaint against Harris, The Harris campaign and Roger Liu is being withdrawn at this time.
Mr. William McCorriston, representing Jeremy Harris, argued procedural irregularities with both the original and amended complaints, and that it is the Commission and not the Executive Director that has the authority to withdraw a complaint. Stated that at the last meeting the matter was referred back to staff and under the statute a report shall be made and respondents to respond to the report at the next meeting. No report was made and chapters 92 and 11 do not allow the staff to withdraw a complaint without jurisdiction of the Commission. Respondents request that the Commission dismiss both complaints with prejudice.
Ms. Chock moved to convene executive session to clarify whether or not the director can withdraw the complaint, Mr. Choy seconded. No action taken.
Mr. Choy questioned as to whether the Executive Director has the authority to withdraw the complaint.
Mr. Kam responded that the law is silent, but that the executive director has the ability to withdraw complaints he has submitted, which has been the past practice of the Commission or the commission can use its authority to require Commission action before a complaint can be withdrawn. If the Commission accepts the withdrawal of the complaint submitted by the executive director, there would be no complaint before the Commission.
Ms. Belatti, noted that the issue has been discussed and the Commission notified of the withdrawal of the complaint. The complaint having been withdrawn there is no complaint to be acted upon.
New Business:
Conciliation Agreement #02-02 Jing Shin Liang and Archico, Inc.
Jing Shin Liang and his company Archico made an excess contribution of $2,000 to the Harris campaign. Mr. Liang was not aware that a personal contribution and a contribution from his company are considered a single contribution. Mr. Liang agreed to the agreement and staff recommends that the Commission accept the agreement.
Ms. Chock moved to accept conciliation agreement with Jing Shin Liang and Archico, Mr. Muraoka seconded. Motion carried.
Conciliation Agreement #02-04 Helber, Hastert & Fee
Helber, Hastert & Fee, floor and space planners made an excess contribution of $1,000. They attribute this to an oversight on their part and have agreed to the conciliation agreement and staff recommends that the Commission accept the agreement.
Ms. Chock moved to accept the conciliation agreement with Helber, Hastert & Fee, Mr. Muraoka seconded. Motion carried.
Communications to Commission:
Legislation
HB 2844 and SB 2431 are the two bills remaining. Both versions prohibit contributions from contractors and unions, but the senate version deleted the prohibition on corporations.
Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Wednesday, May 1, 2002 at 3:00 p.m.
Ms. Chock moved to convene executive session, Mr. Muraoka seconded.
Public session -
Mr. Choy moved to adjoin meeting, Ms. Chock seconded.
Meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.
