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Board reviews draft Maui County lobbyist rules and authorizes staff to refine proposal for Council
Summary
The Board of Ethics reviewed a comprehensive draft of lobbyist rules that would set registration thresholds, disclosure requirements, reporting cycles, exemptions, training and civil penalties up to $5,000; the Board unanimously authorized staff to work with Corporation Counsel to refine the rules for submission to Council.
Executive Director and Legal Counsel Lauren Akitake presented a draft of proposed Maui County lobbyist rules on May 13 that would modernize registration, disclosure and enforcement requirements. The draft was modeled largely on State law but tailored to Maui County statutory references.
Key elements Akitake highlighted include registration thresholds (registration required if an individual receives $1,000 or more in a calendar year, lobbies more than five hours in a month, or spends $1,000 or more on lobbying activities), exemptions for nonprofit employees who lobby fewer than 10 hours per month on grant applications, a biennial renewal cycle, semi-annual financial filings that categorize expenditures and require targeted filings for specific bills or resolutions, and a prohibition on gifts intended to influence officials. The draft also outlines electronic public posting of disclosure statements and civil penalties capped at $5,000.
Board members discussed the differences between county and state practices and the practicalities of implementing registration, reporting and enforcement. Chair Michael Lilly moved and Member John Hauʻoli Tomoso seconded a motion to authorize staff to work with Corporation Counsel to refine the draft and submit it to County Council; the motion passed unanimously.
Akitake noted that Maui currently has only a basic lobbyist registration form and no detailed reporting or enforcement regime; the proposal aims to create clearer standards and public transparency.
