It’s official: Hawaii state Senators have undercut the very ethics rules they or their predecessors put in place. As part of second crossover (the deadline is Thursday), they’ve passed a bill exempting task force lobbyists from the State Ethics Code. 

This sure looks like a move to gut the powers of the ethics commission. 

Capitol Watch reports:

Moving quickly through its agenda, the Hawaii Senate on Tuesday morning (April 10) approved bills on fees for checkout bags, ending government salary cuts sooner than scheduled, exempting task force lobbyists from the State Ethics Code, amending the civil unions law, mandating sick leave for victims of domestic violence and requiring non-resident owners of vacation rental units to retain local management.

Though controversial, the measures received little floor debate, though Republican Sam Slom argued that task force lobbyists should still adhere to the ethics code even if they aren’t state employees. Democrat Les Ihara voted with reservations.

The vote on the civil unions bill was also far from unanimous, with many lawmakers concerned that the bill does not allow an exemption for religious organizations that don’t want ceremonies in their facilities.

This is the third reading for tons of bills, which will then move on to the mysterious abyss that is conference committee.

Michael Golojuch embraces Gary Bradley and Paul Perry at a historic celebration of civil unions on Dec. 31, 2011.