Minutes for May 9, 2000
Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Leiopapa A Kamehameha Building, Room 204
May 9, 2000
3:00 p.m.
Members Present:
A. Duane Black, Della Au, Clifford Muraoka and Andrea Low
Staff Present:
Robert Watada, Jon Itomura and Ellen Kojima
Russell Suzuki, Deputy Attorney General
Call to Order:
Meeting convened at 3:03 p.m. with Chairman Black presiding.
Consideration of Minutes:
Mr. Muraoka moved to approve minutes of April 11, 2000, Ms Low Low seconded. Motion carried.
Old Business:
Docket #98-16 Sinkin v. Yamashiro, et al.
Mr. Watada reviewed the issues regarding this matter as follows:
Mr. Sinkin filed a complaint alleging violations of the campaign spending law 12/98 the Commission issued Preliminary Determination that Yamashiro violated section 11-200 Yamashiro requested a contested case hearing
11/99 Hearings Officer filed his recommended decision
2/00 Oral arguments heard by the Commission
The Commission agreed with the Hearings Officer that the Yamashiro committee violated section 11-200 and was prohibited from making the $17,000 contribution. But did not agree that because the Yamashiro committee may have been under the impression that the contribution was allowable based on telephone calls to the Commission office that the complaint should be dismissed. After hearing oral arguments the Commission agreed that a violation had occurred and that the committee could have gone further in seeking clarification of the law.
Ms Low moved to adopt Findings of Fact. Conclusion of Law and Decision and Order that assesses a $1,000 fine, Mr. Muraoka seconded. Motion carried.
Communications to Commission:
Legislation Update
Two bills have passed this legislative session. HB 1925 allows for web page address, campaign funds may be used at any time for "ordinary and necessary" expenses, contributions from campaign funds limited the maximum amount any person may contribute to that candidate, an inadvertent excess contribution may be returned to the donor, and clarifies language on amount of public funds available for each election. HB 1984 corrects loophole created in 1999, Senate candidates get full contribution limit regardless of circumstances, requires return of residual contributions to donors within 4 years and in the event of a death of a candidate contributions are to returned within 60 days.
Next Meeting:
Scheduled for Tuesday, June 13, 2000 at 3:00 p.m.
No further business to discuss Chairman Black adjourned meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.
