Prohibits candidates for public office from appearing in public service announcements from the time of filing nomination papers until the time the person is no longer a candidate. (HB3234 HD1)

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§11- Candidates for public office; public service announcements; public funds. (a) No person who is a candidate for office shall appear in, or lend the person's name, image, or voice to any public service announcement or any advertisement that is produced on behalf of any state-administered program or paid for with state or public funds, from the time the candidate files nomination papers until the time the person is no longer a candidate for office.

(b) A candidate who is a public official shall be exempt from the prohibition specified in subsection (a) if the announcement or advertisement is in response to a disaster or state or national emergency; provided that the announcement or advertisement is reasonably necessary to an official function of the candidate.

(c) This section shall not be construed to prohibit a candidate from appearing in a broadcast of official state or county proceedings."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.