CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 143

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 548

S.D. 1

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sirs:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 548, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS BY MAIL,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Amend various statutory provisions to clarify and improve the administration of elections by mail;

(2) Establish voters with special needs advisory committees at the state and county levels;

(3) Require the Department of Public Safety and the Hawaii Paroling Authority to inform individuals on parole or probation of their right to vote and provide them with voting information; and

(4) Require the Office of Elections and the county clerks to make a determination, as soon as practicable, of the optimal number and placement of voter service centers.

Your Committee on Conference finds that statewide elections by mail were implemented in the 2020 primary and general elections, with the State receiving a record voter turnout. Your Committee on Conference further finds that although the administration of elections by mail in the State has been generally successful, further refinement and clarification of election law is required.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the minimum requirement of four precincts in each district applies beginning with the 2022 primary election;

(2) Requiring each county to establish a county voters with special needs advisory committee;

(3) Specifying the process by which ballots may be forwarded by electronic transmission to voters with special needs;

(4) Making it effective upon its approval; and

(5) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 548, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 548, S.D. 1, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ MARK M. NAKASHIMA Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair
____________________________ TY J.K. CULLEN Co-Chair