Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3101 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to propose an amendment to article II, section 5, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to allow full public financing of campaigns for public offices of the State and its political subdivisions.

Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Advocates for Consumer Rights, First Unitarian Church, Hawaii Clean Elections Coalition, Hawaii Coalition for Good Government, Hawaii Public Access Media, League of Women Voters, and seven private individuals. The State Campaign Spending Commission submitted comments on the proposed amendment.

Your Committee finds that there are public concerns about the private financing of election campaigns in Hawaii. Recent campaign donation scandals have highlighted a "pay to play" system among government contractors who feel they must donate to state and county executives to be considered for contracts. Current law allows for partial funding. This amendment will allow full funding. Your Committee believes this measure will help to address some of these concerns and take steps to restore the public's confidence in democracy.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3101 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.