HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1786
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to elections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§11-    Election workers; protections. (a) In addition to any other crime, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to intimidate, threaten, harass, or assault any clerk, election official, or election worker with the intent to interfere with, hinder, impair, or obstruct the clerk, election official, or election worker in the performance of their official duties. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the chief election officer or the elections commission from removing an election official or election worker for negligence, malfeasance, misconduct in office, or any other cause.

(b) In addition to any other crime, it shall be a misdemeanor for any person to intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly provide the address, phone number, or electronic mail address of a clerk, election official, or election worker with the intent to intimidate, threaten, harass, or abuse the clerk, election official, or election worker in connection with the performance of their official duties."

SECTION 2. Section 11-1, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:

""Election worker" means an individual designated by the chief election officer to provide election support services."

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2024-2025 for the purchase of products or services to enable the office of elections to remove personal identifying information of clerks, election officials, and election workers from the Internet.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37‑91 and 37‑93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in H.B. No.     , will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent. In addition, the appropriation contained in this Act will cause the general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be further exceeded by $           or      per cent. The combined total amount of general fund appropriations contained in only these two Acts will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024‑2025 to be exceeded by $           or      per cent. The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

(1) The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

(2) The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 6. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

INTRODUCED BY:

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Report Title:

Elections; Election Workers; Election Officials; Protections; Appropriation; Expenditure Ceiling

Description:

Provides protections for clerks, election officials, and election workers from harassment, threats, abuse, and assault in the performance of their official duties. Prohibits the sharing of personal information of clerks, election officials, and election workers for the purposes of harassment, threats, abuse, and assault. Appropriates funds.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.