STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3373

                                   Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                     , 2000

                                   RE:  H.B. No. 1984
                                        H.D. 1
                                        S.D. 2




Honorable Norman Mizuguchi
President of the Senate
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B.
No. 1984, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this bill is to change some provisions of the
law on campaign contribution limits. Specifically, this measure:

     (1)  Reduces current campaign contributions in half;

     (2)  Clarifies that the term of office  for purposes of
          campaign contributions is the usual term of office not
          affected by reapportionment, special election, etc.

     (3)  Requires candidates who withdraw or cease to be
          candidates to return private contributions to donors
          within eight years, and in event of death, to escheat
          residual contributions to the Hawaii election campaign
          fund.

     Your Committee finds that the public interest in campaign
contribution limits has increased since the national spotlight
has been placed on it by national campaigns of presidential
candidates.  While it is still unclear how and whether national

 
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                                   STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3373
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reform measures will develop, Hawaii can begin to take steps on
its own for election reform by placing limits on the amounts
persons can contribute to campaigns.  

     Your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Allowing former candidates in the event of death, and
          those candidates who withdraw or cease to be candidates
          to have their residual or remaining contributions
          donated to a nonprofit organization of their choice;

     (2)  Providing that reduction in aggregate contribution
          limits not apply until after the November 2000
          election;

     (3)  Making technical nonsubstantive corrections; and

     (4)  Changing the effective date to December 30, 3000, to
          ensure full discussion.

     In the interest of fairness, it is the intention of your
Committee that the reduction in contribution limits not take
effect until after the November 2000 election.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your
Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No.
1984, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it
pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1984,
H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

                                 Respectfully submitted on behalf
                                 of the members of the Committee
                                 on Ways and Means,



                                 ________________________________
                                 CAROL FUKUNAGA, Co-Chair



                                 ________________________________
                                 ANDREW LEVIN, Co-Chair

 
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