Hawaii May Ban Fundraisers During Session

RJ Brown/Civil Beat

UPDATED 1/30/12 8:31 a.m.

Hawaii lawmakers would be banned from holding political fundraisers during the four months the Hawaii Legislature is in session under a new proposal.

The bill, co-introduced by Sens. Les Ihara and Suzanne Chun Oakland, aims to remove any perception that donations have an influence on policymaking.

"During the legislative session, many individuals, businesses, and other groups seek favorable action from legislators on measures introduced and heard throughout the session," Senate Bill 2561 reads. "When legislators solicit campaign donations from similar stakeholders while legislation is pending, the public has reason to mistrust the lawmaking process."

The bill would ban fundraising by legislators during the regular legislative session, which typically runs from mid-January to early May. Lawmakers would still be able to accept contributions, just not from an organized fundraising event.

Fundraisers are currently defined in statute as any function held for the benefit of a candidate with a $25 or higher ticket price or suggested contribution to attend. They can be held at anytime as long as a "notice of intent" is filed with the Campaign Spending Commission.

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