STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1127

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 Judiciary, to which was referred H.B. No. 134, H.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:

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

(2) Appropriate funds.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Elections, Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and three individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that updating the process that candidates for public office must complete in order to be placed on the ballot by including the option to electronically submit nomination papers will ensure that more of the State's community members have the ability to participate in the electoral process as candidates. Your Committee further finds that specifying that filing electronically will be at no additional cost to the filer will further encourage individuals to participate in the State's electoral process as candidates. This measure will enhance the accessibility and inclusivity of the State's democracy by making it easier for candidates for public office to submit their nomination papers.

Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by specifying that use of the electronic filing system established by this measure shall come at no additional cost to the filer.

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 H.B. No. 134, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 134, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

________________________________

KARL RHOADS, Chair