This amendment bans high-level executive branch employees who need Senate confirmation from organizing, attending, hosting, or asking for money at political fundraisers.
Hawaii2026Enacted
SB2247
Rules on Political Fundraising for Top State Employees
Last scannedAug 24, 2026, 11:30 PM
In one sentence
This law stops certain high-level state employees who need Senate confirmation from organizing, hosting, attending, or asking for money at political fundraisers.
What it does
- Prohibits specific executive branch employees with procurement authority from organizing, attending, hosting, or soliciting contributions for any political fundraiser.
- Bans these same employees from directly or indirectly asking individuals or groups for campaign donations.
- Adds a new section to Chapter 84 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes to create this rule.
- Clarifies that the law does not stop people from voting, making personal donations, or sharing their political opinions.
Who it affects
- Executive branch employees who are nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate.
- Officials whose jobs involve influence over procurement decisions and contract management.
Limits and unknowns
- The law does not list specific job titles, only describing how they are appointed and their role in procurement.
- The text states the effective date is upon approval but does not provide a calendar date.
Official record
Sources
Official summary
RELATING TO POLITICAL FUNDRAISING BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES. State Ethics Commission Package; Contributions; Solicitation Prohibits any Executive Branch employee who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities. (CD1)
Official activity
Bill history
- Act 228, on 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1330).H
- Act 228, 07/10/2026 (Gov. Msg. No. 1330).S
- Enrolled to Governor.S
- Received notice of passage on Final Reading in House (Hse. Com. No. 888).S
- Received notice of Final Reading (Sen. Com. No. 816).H
- Passed Final Reading as amended in CD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and none excused (0).H
- Passed Final Reading, as amended (CD 1). Ayes, 25; Aye(s) with reservations: none . 0 No(es): none. 0 Excused: none.S
- Forty-eight (48) hours notice Wednesday, 05-06-26.H
- Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 162-26) as amended in (CD 1).H
- 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 05-06-26.S
- Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 162-26).S
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Lee, C., Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.S
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Poepoe, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- The Conference committee reconsidered its previous decision.S
- Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 05-01-26 2:05PM; Conference Room 325.S
- The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Keohokapu-Lee Loy, Poepoe, Garcia; Ayes with reservations: none; 0 Noes: none; and 0 Excused: none.H
- The Conference committee recommends that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes of the Senate Conference Managers were as follows: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Lee, C., Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.S
- Conference committee meeting to reconvene on 04-29-26 2:00PM; CR 325.S
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Tuesday 04-28-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.H
- Conference Committee Meeting will reconvene on Monday 04-27-26 2:00PM in conference room 325.H
Changes
Amendments
3 stored
This amendment bans high-level state employees who control government contracts from organizing, attending, hosting, or asking for money at political fundraisers.
This amendment bans high-level state employees who need Senate confirmation from organizing, attending, hosting, or asking for money at political fundraisers.