CAMPAIGN/ELECTION REFORM BILLS UP FOR HEARING

Legislation to reform Hawaii's campaign and election laws, supported by House Democrats, will be heard by the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs tomorrow in Capitol Conference Room 325, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

Rep. Eric Hamakawa, chair of the Judiciary Committee, said the bills constitute a major step toward strengthening public confidence in the manner in which campaigns are financed and how elections are conducted. "Right now, money is having too much of an influence on the election process," Hamakawa said, "House Democrats believe that a candidate's odds of winning an election should not rely on his/her access to big contributors."

Bill considered by the House Majority that most effectively address the issues include:

• House Bill 168, creating a temporary task force to conduct a comprehensive review of and recommend changes to Hawaii's election laws regarding automatic vote recounts;

• H.B. 169, establishing a pilot program for the 2002 Honolulu City Council races to provide public campaign funds for candidates who agree to contribution and spending limits; and

• H.B. 170, amending current laws to require candidates disclose all contributions, whether or not the contributions were solicited,

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