Report Title:

Elections; Candidates; Debates

Description:

Requires candidates for the office of  U.S. senate, U.S. house of representatives, governor, county mayor, the state house of representatives, and the state senate to enter into a debate with their opponents before the primary election and after the primary election, but before the general election.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	447
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to elections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     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; debate. All candidates for the office of United States senator, United States house of representatives, governor, county mayor, the state house of representatives, and the state senate shall be required to enter into at least one debate with all of their opponents before the primary election, and at least one debate with their opponent after the primary election, but before the general election.  The debate shall be sponsored by a nonpartisan or bipartisan organization."

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $        , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, for the purpose of holding debates between all candidates for the office of United States Senator, United States House of Representative, governor, county mayor, state house of representatives, and state senate, respectively.

     SECTION 3.  The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of accounting and general services for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:

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