SECTION 1. Chapter 97, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§97- Mandatory lobbyist training course. (a) All lobbyists who are registered pursuant to section 97-2 shall annually complete a lobbyist training course administered by the state ethics commission.

(b) The state ethics commission shall establish, design, supervise, and conduct lobbyist training designed specifically for registered lobbyists that shall include:

(1) Education and training in the lobbying laws set forth in this chapter;

(2) Explanations and discussions of the lobbying laws, administrative rules, and relevant internal procedures;

(3) Specific technical and legal requirements;

(4) The underlying purposes and principles of lobbying laws; and

(5) A question and answer participatory segment regarding common problems and situations.

The state ethics commission shall develop the methods and prepare any materials necessary to implement the course.

(1) Administer the lobbyist training course;

(2) Designate members of its legal staff to conduct the lobbyist training course; and

(3) Notify each registered lobbyist that attendance is mandatory.

(d) The state ethics commission shall conduct a lobbyist training course in January of each year and may repeat the course as necessary to accommodate all lobbyists who are required to attend. The course shall be for a period of at least two hours."

SECTION 2. Section 97-2, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§97-2 Registration of lobbyists, requirements. (a) Every lobbyist shall file a registration form with the state ethics commission within five days of becoming a lobbyist.

(b) Each lobbyist shall provide and certify the following information:

(1) The name, mailing address, and business telephone number of the lobbyist.

(2) The name and principal place of business of each person by whom the lobbyist is retained or employed or on whose behalf the lobbyist appears or works and a written authorization to act as a lobbyist from each person by whom the lobbyist is employed or with whom the lobbyist contracts.

(3) The subject areas on which the lobbyist expects to lobby.

(c) A lobbyist shall report any change in any of the information contained in the registration statement within ten days after the change has occurred.

(d) A lobbyist shall file a notice of termination within ten days after the lobbyist ceases the activity which required the lobbyist's registration. The lobbyist and the employer of the lobbyist shall remain subject, however, to the requirements of chapter 97 for the period during which the registration was effective.

(e) A lobbyist shall complete a lobbyist training course administered by the state ethics commission annually, as required under section 97- .

[~~(e)~~] (f) This chapter shall not apply to:

(1) Any individual who represents oneself and not any other person before the legislature or administrative agency; provided that such individual [~~must~~] shall nonetheless file a statement of expenditures if the individual meets any of the provisions of section 97‑3(a);

(2) Any federal, state, or county official or employee acting in the official's or employee's official capacity, unless the federal, state, or county official[,] or employee contracts for the services of a lobbyist;

(3) Any elected public official acting in the public official's official capacity, unless the public official contracts for the services of a lobbyist;

(4) Any newspaper or other regularly published periodical or radio or television station (including any individual who owns, publishes, or is employed by a newspaper or periodical or radio or television station) while publishing in the regular course of business news items, editorials[,] or other comments, or paid advertisements, which directly or indirectly urge the passage or defeat of legislative or administrative action;

(5) Any attorney who advises the attorney's clients on the construction or effect of proposed legislative or administrative action; provided that such attorney must nonetheless register if the attorney meets any of the provisions of section 97-1(6); and

(6) Any person who possesses special skills and knowledge relevant to certain areas of legislation, whose skills and knowledge may be helpful to the legislative and executive branches of state government, and who makes an occasional appearance at the request of the legislature [or], an administrative agency, or [~~the~~] a lobbyist [~~even though receiving~~] regardless of whether or not the person receives reimbursement or other payment from the legislature [or], an administrative agency, or [~~the~~] a lobbyist for the appearance."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	997
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII