Current through February, 2024
(a) An offer of economy-class travel expenses,
modest food and non-alcoholic beverages, and educational programming in
connection with a bona fide professional development program, conference, or
business meeting, generally may be accepted if receipt thereof is consistent with
subsections (b) and (c) and section
21-7-2, provided that the recipient
shall report the travel pursuant to section
84-11.5,
HRS.
(b) The following economy-class
travel expenses, including modest meals and lodging, generally may be accepted
and need not be reported on a gifts disclosure statement:
(1) Travel expenses paid for by the United
States, any of its states or territories, or any political subdivision
thereof;
(2) Travel expenses provided
pursuant to a grant to or a contractual agreement with the State, provided the
benefit supports a bona fide state purpose;
(3) Travel expenses provided to individuals to
serve as chaperones to groups of public school students on student educational
tours, where the tours are paid for by students or their guardians and are
approved by the State of Hawaii Department of Education, and where the travel
expenses are paid for by the organizing tour company or with a portion of fees
collected from other travelers, provided that the tours are otherwise consistent
with the December 2016 Settlement Agreement in HSTA v. Hawaii State Ethics
Commission.
(c) In
determining whether an offer of travel is acceptable, the commission shall
consider;
(1) The donor's relationship to the
recipient. Generally, an offer of travel may not be accepted where the donor
lobbies, seeks business with, or is regulated by the recipient's
agency;
(2) The value of the trip,
including all travel costs sponsored by the donor; and
(3) Whether the travel supports a state
purpose. Generally, offers of travel to events that lack significant educational
content may not be accepted. Likewise, offers to attend entertainment events,
such as golf, cruises, sporting events, or luxury meals, generally may not be
accepted, even if they occur as part of an otherwise acceptable
event.
