STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2746

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2300

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2022

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, 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 and intent of this measure is to allow candidates seeking election to use campaign funds for child care and 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, Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus, Vote Mama Foundation, Great Wāhine Run, Pono Hawai‘i Initiative, AAUW of Hawaii, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, and ten individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from the Honolulu County Republican Party and one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission.

Your Committee finds that parenthood and care for one's dependents should not be a barrier to political office. One solution to this unnecessary obstacle is to allow candidates for elected office to use campaign funds to defray the expensive costs of a candidate's child care or dependent family care. Your Committee also finds that a growing number of candidates and good governance organizations are pushing state legislatures and elections commissions to adopt similar proposals in an effort to encourage more women and low-income candidates to run for public office by addressing a financial barrier for parents and caregivers. Accordingly, your Committee finds that this measure will reduce that cost barrier by allowing candidates more flexibility in how they use campaign funds.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary 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 placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair