The Commission to Improve Standards of Conduct says the grants will beef up bare-bones budgets that now exist in all counties except Honolulu, which spends more on its ethics board.

But some policy advocates opposed the new measures because of mandatory minimum prison sentences.

An appeals court found no reason to reverse the ex-officers’ convictions or sentences.

New proposals regarding government ethics and conflicts of interest will be taken up by the Legislature in the wake of corruption scandals involving former lawmakers.

The case against Wayne Inouye is part of a broader scandal that began with indictments against him and four other DPP employees last year.

The former union leader’s defense attorney alleged his client was the victim of a conspiracy to unseat him.

A trial is scheduled for March 21 in federal court.

The trial of Brian Ahakuelo, accused of leading a conspiracy to line his pockets while head of IBEW Local 1260, begins Thursday.

The panel also forwarded a bill on legislative meetings but will take more time to examine proposals on public records, meetings and a state voters guide.

Wayne Inouye will appear in court later this month to change his plea to guilty.