Minutes for February 11, 2004

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
February 11, 2004
10:00 a.m.

Members Present:
A. Duane Black, Mona Chock, Steven Olbrich, Gino Gabrio, Paul Kuramoto

Staff Present:
Robert Watada, Tony Baldomero, Ellen Kojima
Gary Kam, Deputy Attorney General

Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 10:00 a.m. with Chairman Black presiding.

New Business:
Conciliation Agreement 04-01 Hilo Engineering, Inc.
Investigation found that Rodney Kawamura of Hilo Engineering made a number of false name contributions through family and friends. All the contributions were made to the Stephen Yamashiro campaign. Mr. Kawamura has agreed to the $12,000 assessment.

Mr. Olbrich moved to accept conciliation agreement 04-01, Ms. Chock seconded. Motion carried.

Discussion on how the fine is assessed. Each case is negotiable, but currently assessing $1,000 for each false name contribution and $500 for each excess contribution. Commissioners requested that at a future meeting there be further discussion on the fine schedule.

Conciliation Agreement 03-24 Engineers Surveyors Hawaii, Inc.
Investigation identified over $250,000 in contributions from officers, employees, family and friends to some major candidates. Approximately $75,000 was false name contributions made by officers, employees and their spouses. Because of the difficulty in getting information several of the false name contributions were assessed more than the usual $1,000.

Mr. Wendell Choy, representing the respondent was present and said that his client has agreed to the $78,500 assessment and requested that they be able to make quarterly payments over a 2 year period.

Mr. Kuramoto moved to approve conciliation agreement 03-24, Mr. Gabrio seconded. Motion carried

Communication to Commission:
Matsumoto Request
Mr. Watada reported that he was able to review Mr. Matsumoto's bank statement and his last tax return, and that after discussions with the party he has agreed to $25,000 up front payment and the balance to be paid in 5 years.

Legislation
SB 2048 and 2049 would amend the law to allow the Senate to have a say in selecting commission members and to hire and dismiss the executive director. SCR 21 was also introduced asking that the commission be audited. As of this date, both bills and the resolution have stalled in committee.

Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.

Chairman Black informed the other members that he would not be here for the next meeting. In the past the senior member presided when the chairperson was not present, and if members concur will continue the practice. Members concurred that Ms. Chock would preside over the next meeting.

No further business to discuss Chairman Black adjourned meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m.