CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 159

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 1076

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

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. 1076, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

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) Require the Office of Elections to prepare a digital voter information guide, post the guide on its website in compliance with certain accessibility standards, and mail each ballot with a notice that states a voter information guide may be found on its website;

(2) Require the Attorney General and county corporation counsels to draft explanations of proposed constitutional or charter amendment ballot questions and translate them into certain languages for purposes of the digital voter information guide; and

(3) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee on Conference finds that some states provide valuable information to registered voters such as candidate information or background information on constitutional amendments or ballot measures. This measure will provide for a digital voter information guide to registered voters of the State with similar information, which will create a more informed voting public and increase voter participation in elections.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Adding the requisite information for making an appropriation in excess of the general fund expenditure ceiling pursuant to article VII, section 9, of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

(2) Inserting an appropriation amount of $171,248 for fiscal year 2023-2024; and

(3) Making the effective date July 1, 2023.

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. 1076, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1076, S.D. 2, 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

____________________________ DAVID A. TARNAS Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Chair
____________________________ SCOTT Y. NISHIMOTO Co-Chair	____________________________ CHRIS LEE Co-Chair