STAND. COM. REP. NO. 814

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.B. No. 942

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Labor, to which was referred S.B. No. 942 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit a candidate for public office from appearing in public service announcements paid for with state or public funds from the time of filing nomination papers until the time the person is no longer a candidate, unless the appearance is in response to an emergency or is part of the candidate's official duties.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters of Hawaii.  The Campaign Spending Commission commented on this measure.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will foster public trust in government.  When public officials use radio or television time paid by public moneys, even for legitimate purposes, some members of the public discern a secondary purpose, that public moneys are being used to influence a nomination or election.  This measure addresses that concern.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary and Labor that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 942 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary and Labor,

____________________________

CLAYTON HEE, Chair