State Rep. Josh Green, D-6th (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua, Kona), agreed yesterday to pause his request for a House ethics investigation into state Rep. Tommy Waters, D-51st (Lanikai, Waimanalo), over an ethics bill that would bar lawmakers from entering into state contracts.

Green and Waters had clashed over the bill on Tuesday because Green claimed the provision on state contracts was retribution for his push earlier this session for medical-malpractice liability reform. Green, a Big Island doctor, has a contract with the Hawai'i Health Systems Corp., the state's quasi-public hospital system.

Waters, a defense attorney, said the provision would apply to several lawmakers and would likely prevent him from getting state contracts from the courts to represent certain defendants. He said it was not punitive against Green.

The main purpose of the bill is to discourage nepotism by state officials and lawmakers, with the contract provision added to deter conflicts of interest.

Green met yesterday afternoon with state House Speaker Calvin Say, D-20th (St. Louis Heights, Palolo Valley, Wilhelmina Rise), about the situation. Green said afterward that he would pause his call for an ethics probe and watch whether the bill proceeds into conference committee or moves toward final passage.

"I'm going to rely on people's better intentions," Green said. "I would like to ratchet this down a notch. I trust I can restore a good working relationship with my colleague Tommy Waters, who is a good guy."

Say, through a spokeswoman, declined to comment because matters relating to possible ethics investigations are generally considered confidential.