THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	1075
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to elections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Section 11-381, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

"(a) Campaign funds may be used by a candidate, treasurer, or candidate committee:

(1) For any purpose directly related:

(A) In the case of the candidate, to the candidate's own campaign; or

(B) In the case of a candidate committee or treasurer of a candidate committee, to the campaign of the candidate, question, or issue with which they are directly associated;

(2) To purchase or lease consumer goods, vehicles, equipment, and services that provide a mixed benefit to the candidate. The candidate, however, shall reimburse the candidate's candidate committee for the candidate's personal use of these items unless the personal use is de minimis;

(3) To make donations to any community service, educational, youth, recreational, charitable, scientific, or literary organization; [provided that in any election period, the total amount of all donations shall be no more than twice the maximum amount that one person may contribute to that candidate pursuant to section 11-357;] provided [further] that no donations shall be made from the date the candidate files nomination papers to the date of the general election unless the candidate is:

(A) Declared to be duly and legally elected to the office for which the person is a candidate pursuant to section 12-41;

(B) Deemed and declared to be duly and legally elected to the office for which the person is a candidate pursuant to section 12-42; or

(C) Unsuccessful in the primary or special primary election;

(4) To make donations to any public school or public library; [provided that in any election period, the total amount of all contributions shall be no more than twice the maximum amount that one person may contribute to that candidate pursuant to section 11‑357;] provided [further] that any donation under this paragraph shall not be aggregated with or imputed toward any limitation on donations pursuant to paragraph (3);

(5) To award scholarships to full-time students attending an institution of higher education or a vocational education school in a program leading to a degree, certificate, or other recognized educational credential; provided that in any election period, the total amount of all scholarships awarded shall be no more than twice the maximum amount that one person may contribute to that candidate pursuant to section 11‑357; provided further that no awards shall be made from the filing deadline for nomination papers to the date of the general election unless the candidate is:

(A) Declared to be duly and legally elected to the office for which the person is a candidate pursuant to section 12-41;

(B) Deemed and declared to be duly and legally elected to the office for which the person is a candidate pursuant to section 12-42; or

(C) Unsuccessful in the primary or special primary election;

(6) To purchase not more than two tickets for each event held by another candidate or committee, regardless of whether the event constitutes a fundraiser as defined in section 11-342;

(7) To make contributions to the candidate's party so long as the contributions are not earmarked for another candidate; or

(8) To pay for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the candidate's duties as a holder of an office, including expenses incurred for memberships in civic or community groups."

SECTION 2. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Elections; Candidates; Donations; Non-Profit Organizations; Schools

Description:

Repeals the cap on the amount of campaign funds candidates may donate to any community service, educational, youth, recreational, charitable, scientific, literary organization, public school, or public library.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.