Minutes for July 14, 2004

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
July 14, 2004
10:00 a.m.

Members Present:
A. Duane Black, Steven Olbrich, Gino Gabrio, Paul Kuramoto, Dean Robb

Staff Present:
Robert Watada, Tony Baldomero, Grant Tanimoto, Ellen Kojima

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

Chairman Black introduced new member Dean Robb.

Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Gabrio moved to accept the minutes of April 14, 2004, Mr. Kuramoto seconded. Motion carried.

Mr. Gabrio moved to accept the minutes of May 12, 2004, Mr. Kuramoto seconded. Motion carried.

Mr. Gabrio moved to accept the minutes of June 2, 2004, Mr. Kuramoto seconded. Motion carried.

New Business:
Conciliation Agreement 04-09 Robert Bunda and Friends of Robert Bunda
Review of Robert Bunda disclosure reports over the last four years found expenditures that were not consistent with the law. The campaign made several donations to religious organizations and to individuals, in the form of scholarships, which are not acceptable under the law. There were also several expenditures that were determined to be personal expenditures. It was further determined that these expenditures were not intentionally made, as the campaign had an understanding that these kinds of expenditures were allowable. Staff recommends a fine of $250, which has also been agreed to by the Senator Bunda.

Mr. Gabrio, expressed that with future agreements would like to see an additional fine on top of what needs to be returned or reimbursed and that the fine should be paid from personal not campaign funds.

Mr. Olbrich moved to approve Conciliation Agreement 04-09, Mr. Kuramoto seconded. Motion carried.

Conciliation Agreement 04-10 David Matsuura and Friends of David Matsuura
Review of former Senator Matsuura disclosure reports found that he had made expenditures that were deemed to be personal in nature - a trip to Japan, which the campaign paid for airfare and lodging and the purchase of books. The trip had no relation to his campaign since it was after he was defeated in the 2002 elections, but the books were for supporters of his campaign. Staff recommends a fine of $2,038.59 (cost of the trip) from personal funds.

Mr. Kuramoto moved to approve Conciliation Agreement 04-10, Mr. Olbrich seconded. Motion carried.

Conciliation Agreement 04-12 Amar Sappal
Investigation found that Mr. Sappal made false name contributions to the Harris and Hirono campaigns. After he had made the maximum contribution he asked others to make campaign contributions and reimbursed them for their contribution. Staff recommends a fine of $2,000.

Mr. Gabrio moved to approve Conciliation Agreement 04-12, Mr. Kuramoto seconded. Motion carried.

Communications to Commission
SB 459
The Governor has vetoed SB 459. The Commission had recommended approval, but the Governor vetoed it because of the technical problems.

Web Based Filing
The funds have been released for the contract. New deadline is September or within 6 months of September.

Next Meeting
Scheduled for Wednesday, August 4, 2004 at 10:00 a.m.

Mr. Kuramoto moved to convene executive session to discuss personnel matters, Mr. Gabrio seconded. Motion carried.

Public session reconvened - no further business to discuss Chairman Black adjourned meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.