STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1647

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 370

H.D. 2

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. 370, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the partial public financing of elections.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Increases the amount of funds available to candidates who qualify to participate in the partial public financing program;

(2) Provides for the adjustment of the amount of minimum qualifying contributions required for certain offices;

(3) Increases matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions; and

(4) Appropriates moneys.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission, Free Access Coalition, Our Hawaii, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, ACLU of Hawaii, Green Party of Hawaii, Democratic Party of Hawaii Education Caucus, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee recognizes that since at least 2016, the number of candidates participating in the Partial Public Funding Program has decreased every year. Your Committee also recognizes that the amount of funds available to candidates through the program has not increased in more than twenty years. Accordingly, your Committee believes that increasing the amount of funds available to candidates, as proposed by this measure, will strengthen the program and increase candidate participation in the program.

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. 370, H.D. 2, 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