STAND. COM. REP. NO. 850

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 51

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 S.B. No. 51, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CANDIDATES TO ELECTED OFFICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish, require legislative reports regarding, and appropriate moneys for a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates for state and county elective offices, beginning with the 2028 general election year.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; 350 Hawaii; Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action; Free Access Coalition; Our Hawaii; Surfrider Foundation, Kauai Chapter; Green Party of Hawaii; and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from numerous individuals.

Your Committee recognizes that the State has been a pioneer in advancing the public financing of election campaigns since 1978, when the Article II, Section 5, was added to the Hawaii State Constitution to require the Legislature to establish a fund for the partial public funding of those campaigns. Your Committee believes that a comprehensive public financing system, as proposed by this measure, will allow participating candidates to take actions and make policy decisions with less potential for undue influence of various interests that finance campaigns.

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 S.B. No. 51, 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