Hawaii House Bill HB967

Hawaii 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23
• Refer: 1/30/23

Caption

Relating To Public Financing For Candidates To Elected Office.

Impact

The legislation represents a significant shift in the funding landscape of Hawaii’s electoral system. It revises existing campaign finance laws by introducing a system that not only offers public financing but also sets restrictions on private contributions for participating candidates. This could enhance voter engagement and confidence by ensuring that candidates are primarily accountable to their constituents rather than to special interest groups. The funding amounts and specific eligibility criteria are modeled after previous public funding initiatives and are expected to address concerns about candidates who might otherwise be excluded from competitive elections due to financial disparities.

Summary

House Bill 967 is designed to establish a comprehensive public funding system for candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in Hawaii, with implementation set to start for the 2024 general election. The bill aims to level the playing field in campaign financing by providing public funds to candidates who follow specific fundraising and spending guidelines. This initiative is intended to reduce reliance on wealthy donors and entities that may influence political decisions, thereby enhancing the integrity of the electoral process in the state. Candidates who wish to participate must demonstrate grassroots support by obtaining a requisite number of $5 qualifying contributions from voters in their district, after which they will be funded exclusively by public funds throughout their campaign and tenure if elected.

Contention

Notably, some may question the financial implications of the bill, given the appropriated funds of $30 million from general revenues for the Hawaii election campaign fund for the fiscal year 2023-2024. There might also be concerns over the administrative capacity of the Campaign Spending Commission to effectively manage this funding program, including the monitoring of compliance among candidates. Furthermore, the requirement for candidates to rely solely on public funding poses restrictions that could be perceived as limiting their ability to campaign effectively, especially in a diverse electorate with varying levels of voter engagement.