Minutes for January 11, 2006
Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
January 11, 2006
10:00 a.m.
Members Present:
Paul Kuramoto, Steven Olbrich, Gino Gabrio, Dean Robb
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 Chairman Kuramoto presiding.
Excused – Michael Weaver
Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Gabrio moved to accept the minutes of December 21, 2005, Mr. Olbrich seconded. Motion carried.
New Business:
Rescind Advisory Opinion 98-02
Opinion addressed the requirement that corporate noncandidate committees be in existence for 12 months or longer before making contributions from the corporate treasury and permitting unlimited contributions from a corporate treasury to its noncandidate committee. Opinion should be rescinded because the subsection requiring a corporate noncandidate committee to be in existence for 12 months or longer was repealed and the subsection allowing unlimited contributions was amended in Act 203.
Rescind Advisory Opinion 99-04
Opinion permitted only $2,000 in contributions for candidates who sought election to a 2-year senate office, rather than the usual term of 4-years, due to reapportionment. Opinion should be rescinded as the law was amended to allow full contribution limits for an office irrespective of reapportionment or special election.
Mr. Olbrich moved to rescind Advisory Opinions 98-02 and 99-04, Mr. Gabrio seconded. Motion carried
Communication to Commission:
Budget Process Update
Budget testimony has been submitted for Supplemental Budget 2006-2007. Budget hearings are scheduled for Thursday, January 12 and Friday, January 13.
Approval as Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Instructors
Grant Tanimoto, Tony Baldomero and Barbara Wong have been approved to teach campaign finance to CPAs who will be able to receive CPE credit. The purpose for obtaining approval was to encourage CPAs to attend classes on campaign finance and law with the hope that more will become involved as treasurers.
Subpoenas
Motions to Quash subpoenas have been heard and subpoenas are being redrafted to comply with the courts’ instructions.
Act 203 Interpretations
Have been receiving inquires regarding Act 203 and recently met with several unions regarding the interpretation of Act 203 as it pertains to the unions and their members.
Act 203 FAQs have been updated on the website, as well information on the upcoming 2006 election.
Candidate Committee Audit
Nine audit of various candidate committees have been completed with three pending. Once these audits have been completed will take this program to the neighbor islands.
A letter has been posted on the website regarding the audits and the purpose for the audits.
CSC Bulletin
Newsletter will be out in mid-January and will be mailed to candidates and committees and it will be available on the website.
Treasurer’s Manual
Chair Kuramoto suggested wording to make candidates aware of potential federal and Hawaii state tax liabilities. Manuals have been updated with new wording.
Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Thursday, February 9, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
Mr. Olbrich moved to convene executive session to discuss salary issues, Mr. Gabrio seconded. Motion carried.
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Public session reconvened – no further business to discuss Mr. Robb moved to adjourn meeting, Mr. Olbrich seconded. Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
