HB434

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	434
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that true democracy in Hawaii demands fuller participation by its citizens in matters that affect all residents of the State. One avenue through which ordinary voters may more fully participate in their lives is through the mechanism of an advisory referendum. The issues of gambling, education, and the funding of transit systems in the State have been come to the fore in recent years. Everyone agrees on the importance of education and the need to generate revenues to support teachers and the educational system. Fully funding transit systems to alleviate traffic congestion in the State, including a possible rail system on Oahu, would also require massive amounts of money. Hawaii's economy has peaked and is projected to decline in the next few years, and new ways to generate tax revenues need to be explored. The legalization and implementation of a state lottery to benefit education and rail transit systems is an appropriate mechanism to generate this much-needed revenue.

The legislature finds that it is appropriate for the public to make its views known through a non-binding referendum regarding whether to allow a state lottery in the State. The purpose of this Act is to require a non-binding referendum on the issue of whether the State should legalize a state lottery.

SECTION 2. At the general election of 2008, there shall be an advisory referendum on whether the electorate wishes the State to legalize a state lottery to benefit education and rail transit in the State. The chief election officer of the State shall submit a proposal to the electorate with instructions in the form of the following question:

"Shall the State of Hawaii allow a state lottery to benefit education and rail transit in the State?"

The chief election officer shall publish a notice of the advisory referendum question and descriptive information on a state lottery in a newspaper of general circulation in the State at least thirty days before the date of the advisory referendum. The notice of the advisory referendum shall also be available at all public libraries in the State and the office of the county clerk of each county.

The ballot shall print the question and the question shall have a designated space to mark YES or NO. The chief election officer shall report the results of the advisory referendum to the legislature prior to the convening of the 2009 Regular Session.

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

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________