Amends article II, section 5 of the Hawaii Constitution to permit full public financing of campaigns for state and county offices.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. Recent news stories have brought to the public's attention excessive monetary donations to the campaigns of various state and county officials. Contractors, engineers, and other prominent community members have admitted making contributions that exceeded legal contribution limits by thousands of dollars. The number of individuals that have been indicted and sentenced as well as the staggering amounts of money involved creates a perception in the public regarding the existence of a "pay-to-play" type system. Under this "system", lucrative government contracts are steered towards a select group of individuals who in turn contributes large sums of money to the campaigns of prominent public officials.

The legislature finds that to end this corrupt "system", issues relating to the financing of campaigns for elective office must be addressed and resolved in a manner that restores public trust in government and its leaders. Article II, section 5 of the Hawaii Constitution allows for partial public financing of campaigns for public offices of the State and its political subdivision. The legislature finds that amending this constitutional provision to allow for full public financing of campaigns for state and county offices would break the "system" of contributions and government contracts. Further, the legislature also finds that providing this financing option would encourage civic-minded individuals to run for political office who would otherwise choose not to based solely on financial considerations.

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

SECTION 2. Article II, section 5, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii is amended to read as follows:

"CAMPAIGN FUND, SPENDING LIMIT

Section 5. The legislature shall establish a campaign fund to be used for full or partial public financing of campaigns for public offices of the State and its political subdivisions, as provided by law. The legislature shall provide a limit on the campaign spending of candidates."

SECTION 3. The question to be printed on the ballot shall be as follows:

SECTION 4. New constitutional material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This amendment shall take effect upon compliance with article XVII, section 3, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.