STAND. COM. REP. NO. 958

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 1202

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 1202 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to allow campaign funds to be used for a candidate's child care and vital household dependent care costs under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Committee, Hawaiʻi Family Caregiver Coalition, Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus, and two individuals.

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

Your Committee received comments on this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that childcare costs can be a significant impediment in any individual's decision to run for public office. Your Committee believes that the current election system is not designed for caregivers and the costs incurred from childcare are a systemic barrier to electoral office. By allowing the utilization of campaign resources for certain childcare costs, this measure will create a more equitable political system and create an additional avenue to reach more equal representation in government.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1202 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair