STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1185-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 3243

S.D. 1

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 3243, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Prohibit foreign entities and foreign-influenced business entities from making contributions, expenditures, electioneering communications, or donations for election purposes;

(2) Require every business entity that contributes or makes an expenditure to a state election to file a statement of certification regarding its limited foreign influence; and

(3) Require noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor required to be listed in an advertisement.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission; League of Women Voters of Hawaii; International Longshore & Warehouse Union Local 142; Free Speech For People; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the State has a compelling interest in securing its democratic self-governance from foreign influence. This measure will protect the integrity of Hawaii's elections and boost public trust in elected representatives.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Amending the preamble;

(2) Deleting language related to foreign-influenced business entities;

(3) Changing the effective date to January 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

(4) Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 3243, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 3243, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair