STAND. COM. REP. NO. 198-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: H.B. No. 2386

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Reform, to which was referred H.B. No. 2386 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require the Office of Elections to:

(A) Prepare a digital voter registration guide to be posted on its website; and

(B) Prepare a notice to be mailed with each ballot in a primary election notifying voters that the digital voter information guide may be found on the Office's website; and

(2) Appropriate funds to the Office of Elections to prepare and mail a notice to voters that the digital voter information guide may be found on the Office's website.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Common Cause Hawaii, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Budget and Finance, Department of the Attorney General, and Office of Elections.

Your Committee finds that providing a voter information guide to registered voters of the State will create a more informed voting public and increase voter participation in elections.

However, your Committee notes that there are many registered voters of the State who may be unable to access or view a digital voter information guide or live in areas that lack internet access. Your Committee believes that providing a physical voter information guide, upon request, to those who are unable to view the online voter information guide will ensure more people have access to important election information.

Your Committee further notes that concerns were raised in testimony regarding how statements for candidates are collected and included in the voter information guide. Additional discussion on those concerns may be warranted as this measure moves through the legislative process.

Your Committee has accordingly amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying that the Office of Elections is required to post the voter information guide electronically on its website and print and mail a physical copy to individuals upon request;

(2) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2112, to encourage further discussion; and

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

Should your Committee on Finance choose to deliberate on this measure further, your Committee on Government Reform respectfully requests that it consider appropriating $95,000 to the Office of Elections for the preparation, posting, and upon request physical distribution of the voter information guide required by this measure. Your Committee believes that since the distribution of a physical voter information guide is by request, the $95,000 appropriation should be able to encompass the printing of physical copies of the guide.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Government Reform that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2386, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2386, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Government Reform,

____________________________

ANGUS L.K. McKELVEY, Chair