(a) The commission shall render advisory opinions at any time at the request of an officer or employee of the city involving the possible conflict of interest or unethical conduct on the part of or the solicitation, acceptance, or receipt of a gift by such officer or employee.
(b) The commission shall also render advisory opinions regarding complaints.
(c) The commission shall have jurisdiction for purposes of investigation and taking appropriate action over a complaint or request for an advisory opinion alleging a violation of the standards of conduct established in Charter Article XI or of Chapter 1, Article 19 by a current or former officer or employee that has been submitted to the ethics commission within six years after the alleged violation occurred. Any investigation commenced by the commission on its own initiative into an alleged violation of Charter Article XI or of Chapter 1, Article 19 by a current or former officer or employee shall be commenced within six years after the alleged violation occurred.
(d) The commission shall recommend to the appointing authority or the council, in the case of a councilmember, appropriate disciplinary action against officers and employees found to have violated the standards of conduct established in Charter Article XI or Chapter 1, Article 19.
(e) The commission may impose civil fines as set forth in § 3-8.5.
(f) The commission may submit to the mayor and council recommendations and reports that it deems advisable and that pertain to the standards of conduct contained in Charter Article XI, to the administration referred to in Article XI or to any other matter relating to the fostering and maintenance of ethical conduct.
(g) The commission may initiate or make investigations and hold hearings.
(h) The commission may subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony relating to matters before the commission and issue subpoenas for the production for examination of any books, papers, or other documents relative to any matter under investigation or in question before the commission. The commission may exercise its subpoena power upon the signature of a subpoena by the chair of the commission, by the vice chair, or by a vote of the majority of the members of the commission.
(i) The commission may, from time to time adopt, amend, and repeal such rules, not inconsistent with the provisions herein and of Chapter 1, Article 19, as in the judgment of the commission seem appropriate for the carrying out of the provisions herein and of Chapter 1, Article 19, and for the efficient administration thereof, including every matter or thing required to be done or which may be done with the approval or consent or by order or under the direction or supervision of or as prescribed by the commission. The rules, when approved, adopted, and filed as provided in HRS Chapter 91, shall have the force and effect of law.
(j) The commission may disclose the name of any officer or employee who has been determined by the commission, following an investigation and a hearing or opportunity for a hearing, to have violated Chapter 1, Article 19 or of Charter Article XI in accordance with HRS Chapter 92F.
(k) The commission may submit information or records to another agency, a State agency, an agency of another state, or to an agency of the federal government, or a foreign law enforcement agency or authority as permitted under HRS Chapter 92F.
(Sec. 3-2.3, R.O. 1978 (1983 Ed.)) (1990 Code, Ch. 3, Art. 6, § 3-6.3) (Am. Ords. 92-17, 93-113, 94-49, 02-15, 07-43, 12-1)