Minutes for December 12, 2007

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
December 12, 2007
12:00 a.m.

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

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

Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 12:05 a.m. with Chairperson Kuramoto presiding.

Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Olbrich moved to accept the minutes of November 13, 2007.  Motion seconded by Mr. Weaver.  Motion carried.

Communication to Commission:
Proposed Legislation
The following draft legislation was presented for the commissioners’ review and comment:

• Bill to re-insert public funding for the office of the prosecuting attorney, which was mistakenly left out in the 2005 legislation;
• Bill to increase late filing, defective or deficient report penalty, amending the definitions of “loan” and “person” and collapsing sections 11-200 and 11-206 into one; and
• Housekeeping bill to make technical changes to conform the law with the electronic filing of reports requirement.

Staff is continuing to work on language for section 11-204(b), clarifying noncandidate committee registration and contribution limitations.

Discussion on whether other business entities should be added to the definition of “person”, such as “organization”, “business trust”, “limited liability partnership”.  Staff to do further research.

Commissioner Olbrich asked, and other Commissioners concurred, that legislation be introduced prohibiting candidates from using monies collected for one office from being used to campaign for another office.

Constitutional Convention Issues
The question of whether a constitutional convention should be held will be on the 2008 ballot.  If the voters approve it, the convention will be held in 2010.

A Legislative appropriation would be needed for additional staffing to handle this added election, unless it is to be taken out of the Hawaii election campaign fund.

Ms. Jean Aoki, League of Women Voters, asked whether public funds would be available for constitutional convention candidates.  Staff affirmed that public funding would be available and that they would be eligible for $100 in public funding.

2009 Forum
Executive Director Wong got an estimate from the Sheraton Waikiki and because the cost was higher than expected, asked for the Commission’s comments regarding partnering with the William S. Richardson School of Law, if the school is willing.  Received consensus of commissioners on inquiring as to whether the law school would interested in partnering with the commission.

Mr. Olbrich moved to convene executive session to discuss personnel matters.  Motion seconded by Mr. Weaver.  Motion carried.

Public session reconvened.  Mr. Robb moved to adjourn meeting.  Motion seconded by Mr. Weaver.  Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 1:15 a.m.