No Conflict? I Live on Land Zoned Agricultural
Editor’s note: This is part of a Civil Beat series exploring conflicts of interest in the Hawaii Legislature.
The Hawaii House of Representatives is debating that would make clear rural landowners should not be held liable if they don’t warn trespassers about dangerous terrain.
A lawmaker stands up and says he might have a conflict of interest, saying, “I live on land that is zoned agricultural.”
That’s all that’s said on the floor.
You’re presiding over the House and need to decide if the lawmaker is allowed to vote or should be excused because he has a conflict of interest.
The House says a conflict of interest means “the legislation affects the member’s direct personal, familial, or financial interest except if the member, or the member’s relative, is part of a class of people affected by the legislation.” (For more information on the ground rules and to review other potential conflicts, visit our how-to guide.)
What would you rule? .
