STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1065

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2021

RE: S.B. No. 597

S.D. 2

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2021

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Government Reform, to which was referred S.B. No. 597, S.D. 2, 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 and vital household dependent care costs under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from Common Cause Hawaii, Young Progressives Demanding Action, American Association of University Women of Hawaii, and six individuals. 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 barriers to running for political office. This measure will reduce the cost barrier for running a campaign for political office by allowing candidates more flexibility in the use of their campaign funds.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding a definition for "vital household dependent care"; and

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

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. 597, S.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 597, S.D. 2, 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