STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1140-22

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2022

RE: S.B. No. 2300

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 S.B. No. 2300 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to allow candidates seeking election to use campaign funds for child care costs or vital household dependent care costs under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawai‘i State Commission on the Status of Women, Common Cause Hawaii, Women's Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawai‘i, Vote Mama Foundation, American Association of University Women of Hawaii Hilo, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Great Wāhine Run, and seven individuals. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission.

Your Committee finds that costs for caretaking in Hawaii are cost-prohibitive for many candidates with dependents. Without structural support, children can be a serious barrier to running for office, a barrier that often falls heaviest on women and working families. Your Committee further finds that parenthood and care for one's dependents should not be barriers to running for political office. This measure will reduce the associated cost burdens for running a campaign for political office by providing candidates with some flexibility in how they use campaign funds for a limited purpose.

Your Committee additionally finds that this measure will mirror the federal elections process, which also allows campaign funds to be spent on needed child and dependent care, that was passed by overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.

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 S.B. No. 2300 and recommends that it pass Second Reading 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