Application Deadline to Serve on State Ethics and Campaign Spending Commissions is March 31

News Release from Hawaii Judiciary

The Judicial Council is extending the deadline in its search to find qualified applicants to fill two vacancies on the Hawai`i State Ethics Commission. The new application deadline is March 31, 2013.  The Judicial Council is also seeking qualified applicants to fill a vacancy on the Campaign Spending Commission. The deadline for persons interested in serving on the Campaign Spending Commission is also March 31, 2013.

The successful Ethics Commission applicants will either fill a  four-year term or an unexpired term that ends on June 30, 2014.  The vacancy on the Campaign Spending Commission is for a full, four-year term.

Applicants from all islands may apply. Members of both commissions serve on a voluntary basis. Travel expenses incurred by neighbor island members to attend meetings on O`ahu will be reimbursed.

Applicants must be U. S. citizens, residents of the State of Hawai`i and may not hold any other public office.

The Ethics Commission addresses ethical issues involving legislators, registered lobbyists, and state employees (with the exception of judges, who are governed by the Commission on Judicial Conduct). The five commission members are responsible for investigating complaints, providing advisory opinions, and enforcing decisions issued by the Commission. The Hawai`i State Constitution prohibits members of the Ethics Commission “from taking an active part in political management or political campaigns.”

The primary duty of the five members of the Campaign Spending Commission is to supervise campaign contributions and expenditures. Commissioners may not participate in political campaigns or contribute to candidates or political committees.

The Governor will select the commissioners from a list of nominees submitted by the Judicial Council.

Interested persons should submit an application along with a resume and three letters of recommendation (attesting to the applicant’s character and integrity) postmarked by March 31, 2013 to: Judicial Council, Hawai`i Supreme Court, 417 S. King Street, Second Floor, Honolulu, Hawai`i 96813-2902.

Applications are available on the Hawai`i State Judiciary website or by calling the Judicial Council at 539-4702.