The following testimony was submitted by the Grassroot Institute of Hawaii for consideration by the Senate Committee on Government Operations on Feb. 5, 2026.
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Feb. 5, 2026, 3:01 p.m.
Hawaii State Capitol
Conference Room 225 and Videoconference
To: Senate Committee on Government Operations
Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey, Chair
Sen. Mike Gabbard, Vice Chair
From: Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
Ted Kefalas, Director of Strategic Campaigns
RE: TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF SB2970 — RELATING TO STANDARDS OF CONDUCT
Aloha Chair, Vice Chair and other Committee members,
The Grassroot Institute of Hawaii would like to offer its support for SB2970, which would prohibit state agencies from entering into contracts for goods or services (including construction) with a business that is owned or operated — or in which a controlling interest is held — by a relative or household member of a director or deputy director of a principal state department.
By prohibiting contracts that could benefit the relative or household member of a state department head, this bill would help prevent financial conflicts of interest as well as issues of impartiality in contracting, an essential practice in government procurement.[1]
In order to improve public trust in government and root out corruption, state agencies must avoid improper influence in contracting and even the appearance of impropriety. We applaud the committee for addressing this important issue and urge you to pass SB2970.
Ted Kefalas
Director of Strategic Campaigns
Grassroot Institute of Hawaii
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[1] “Ethics and Procurement Integrity,” U.S. Office of Government Ethics, July 2007.
