Establishes a temporary task force to comprehensively review, evaluate, and recommend changes to Hawaii's election laws regarding vote counting, particularly consideration of automatic recount and contesting procedures, to ensure the integrity and certainty of the State's electoral process. (SD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to establish a task force to comprehensively review, evaluate, and recommend changes to Hawaii's election laws regarding vote tabulation – with particular consideration of automatic recount and contest procedures -- to ensure the integrity and certainty of the State's electoral process.

SECTION 2. (a) There is established within the office of the lieutenant governor for administrative purposes the elections review task force to comprehensively review, evaluate, and recommend changes to Hawaii's election laws to ensure the integrity and certainty of the State's electoral process. The task force shall consider the following:

1. The adequacy of the law with respect to vote tabulation and contest procedures; and
2. The feasibility of implementing an automatic recount and improved contest procedure.

In conducting this study, the task force shall consider vote tabulation and contest procedures used or proposed for use in other states.

(b) The task force shall consist of nine members. The chief election officer, or designated representative, shall serve as the chair of the task force. The remaining members shall be representative of the major political parties, have prior elections administration experience, reflect statewide representation, and be appointed in the following manner:

1. Two members shall be appointed by the governor;
2. Two members shall be appointed by the president of the senate;
3. One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the senate;
4. Two members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and
5. One member shall be appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.

(c) The members of the task force shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in carrying out their duties.

(d) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the task force may retain private legal counsel and staff as necessary to provide technical assistance and support.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $100,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, for the elections review task force to carry out the purposes of this Act.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. The task force shall submit its study of Hawaii's election laws with its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature not later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2002.

SECTION 5. The task force shall terminate upon the adjournment of the regular session of 2002.

SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect upon approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2001.