STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3367

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2156

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Eighth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2016

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to reform the campaign finance laws relating to the use of campaign funds and the financing of the Campaign Spending Commission's operations.

     Specifically, the measure:

(1)  Increases the options available to candidate committees and noncandidate committees in their use and disposition of campaign funds; and

(2)  Repeals the use of the Hawaii election campaign fund for the operating expenses of the Campaign Spending Commission.

     Additionally, this measure transfers excess funds from the campaign spending trust fund to the general fund and appropriates general funds to the Campaign Spending Commission for operating expences.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from one individual.  Written comments in opposition to this measure were received from the Department of Accounting and General Services, Common Cause Hawaii, League of Women Voters, and four individuals.  Written comments were received from the State Campaign Spending Commission and two individuals.

     Your Committee finds that this measure will encourage candidate and noncandidate committees to promote community interests.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1)  Deleting Section 4, which transferred excess funds from the campaign spending trust fund to the general fund; and

(2)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2076, to facilitate further discussion of the measure.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2156, H.D. 2, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

________________________________

JILL N. TOKUDA, Chair