STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1681

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 134

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 134, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the filing of nomination papers in elections.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Requires the Chief Election Officer to provide a system for the electronic filing of nomination papers;

(2) Prohibits the Chief Election Officer from charging an additional fee to filers for using the electronic system; and

(3) Appropriates moneys.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Elections and Democratic Party of Hawaii.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Ohana Unity Party/Kingdom of The Hawaiian Islands.

Your Committee finds that a system to electronically submit nomination papers, without the imposition of an additional fee, will accommodate more community members seeking to serve in public offices. Accordingly, your Committee believes that this system will have a positive effect on elections and the democratic process.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 134, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair