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HRS §97-8

When lobbying for your own organization is treated as paid work

Starting in 2027, if you own part of an organization or work for it as an employee, officer, or director, and you actively lobby for that organization, the law will assume you are being paid for that lobbying. This does not apply to purely informational chats, ceremonies, or routine relationship building without advocacy.

everyone

The statute, as written — Presumption of lobbying on behalf of private clients

[Section effective January 1, 2027.] Any individual with a substantial ownership interest in or a paid employee, officer, or director of an organization, who actively participates in lobbying activities that directly benefit that organization, shall be presumed to be receiving compensation from the organization for their lobbying efforts. This presumption shall not include communications made solely for informational purposes, ceremonial interactions, or routine relationship building that do not involve advocacy for or against specific outcomes.
Read the official text at capitol.hawaii.gov ↗as published Jan 6, 2026our copy taken Aug 20, 2026

LawTrove is not legal advice. The summary above is a computer-generated restatement — the authoritative text is the official version linked above.