The amendments to Section 11-302 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes broaden the definition of 'advertisement' while explicitly excluding items such as clothing, yard signs, and other merchandise that bear a candidate's name or message. By exempting these items from electioneering communications reporting, SB636 seeks to encourage greater freedom and less regulatory burden on candidates when it comes to their campaign messaging. The bill thus alters the existing framework, aiming for a more lenient approach towards campaign advertisement methods.
Senate Bill 636 (SB636) proposes amendments to existing election laws in Hawaii, specifically addressing the definitions and reporting requirements related to campaign advertisements and electioneering communications. A primary focus of the bill is to clarify what constitutes an 'advertisement' and to remove certain types of campaign-related communications from the disclosure and reporting requirements set forth in state law. This change aims to simplify the legal landscape for candidates and campaign committees, particularly in relation to expenses for campaign materials.
Notably, the exclusion of various campaign materials from disclosure requirements has raised concerns regarding transparency in election campaigns. Critics argue that such exclusions might obscure campaign financing from public scrutiny, potentially allowing for more significant influence from undisclosed funding sources. Proponents defend the bill, suggesting that it will alleviate unnecessary restrictions and foster a more fluid campaign process, enabling candidates to reach voters more effectively through diverse channels without excessive regulatory oversight.