Two bills before the City Council would make it a misdemeanor or impose fines when elected officials use public money to fund advertising campaigns championing initiatives.

The bills, introduced by council members Charles K. Djou and Donovan M. Dela Cruz, seek to ban the mayor, the prosecuting attorney, and members of the City Council from using taxpayer money to pay for public relations campaigns.

Djou's bill seeks to mandate the inclusion of a disclaimer informing the public that the advertisement they are viewing was paid for with taxpayer funds.

Dela Cruz seeks to ban the use of any "likeness" of public officials or buildings that suggest an elected office, such as Honolulu Hale, when using public money to pay for public relations.

Bill Brennan, spokesman for Mayor Mufi Hannemann, said yesterday, "We're reviewing the proposals to determine whether they have merit.

"Generally speaking, however, it is incumbent upon government to communicate with and provide information to the citizenry. Government would be remiss if it did not. An informed citizenry, after all, is what makes our government work best."

If enacted, the measures would nullify the practice of using taxpayer money to pay for any print, broadcast, direct mail or online advertising promoting a cause and featuring the name or likeness of an elected official.

The measures are aimed at preventing practices such as former Mayor Frank Fasi labeling city projects with his name and former Mayor Jeremy Harris printing $76,000 worth of books highlighting his administration's accomplishments.

Dela Cruz and Djou said the measures are also aimed at curbing the current administration's spending on advertising campaigns promoting the rail transit project.

The city has budgeted $2,400 a month for a weekly radio show supporting the rail transit initiative. The radio show is part of the city's public relations effort to inform residents on the planned rail system.

The city says it spent $1.4 million from August 2005 through February 2008 on the effort.

The city also purchased print advertising to counter concerns raised by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the Honouliuli wastewater treatment plant needs $400 million in upgrades to meet national water quality requirements.

"It (the legislation) was in response to calls that we got from constituents. Everybody understands you have to spend money to pick up garbage, and for parks and for police but there is a big difference between public outreach and sophisticated public relations campaigns," said Dela Cruz. "A lot of people were upset with the cost of some of the propaganda the last administration produced. We are trying to keep the cost of government down and we shouldn't be using public money on four-color brochures and newspaper advertising that does not have a specific call to action."

Djou said it is important that taxpayers understand when their money is being spent on advertising or public relations campaigns.

Djou and Dela Cruz argue that their bills are in step with state and federal guidelines that require elected officials to disclose how advertisements are paid for and to not impose their likeness on the process.

"The genesis of this is the mayor spending $1.4 million to advocate for a very controversial (rail) project. It becomes a material difference when you're using the people's money to advocate a political position," said Djou. "People should know when their own money is being used to try and convince someone."