STAND. COM. REP. NO.  887

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2013

RE:   H.B. No. 198

      H.D. 2

Honorable Joseph M. Souki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Seventh State Legislature

Regular Session of 2013

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 198, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ABSENTEE VOTING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to increase efficiency in voting and election operations by:

     (1)  Requiring the absentee ballot for a voter requesting permanent absentee status to be mailed to the mailing address contained on the voter's most recently completed affidavit on application for voter registration; and

     (2)  Allowing the absentee ballot to be temporarily mailed to a different mailing address if the voter submits a temporary mailing authorization in writing.

The Office of Elections, Office of the County Clerk of the County of Maui, and Office of the County Clerk of the County of Kauai supported this measure.  A concerned individual opposed this bill.  

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Changing its effective date to July 1, 2030, to promote further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 198, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 198, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

____________________________

SYLVIA LUKE, Chair