STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3787

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2738

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirtieth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2020

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2738, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to deter foreign corporate spending and influence on the State's elections.

More specifically, the measure:

(1) Prohibits foreign nationals and foreign corporations from making independent expenditures;

(2) Requires every corporation that contributes or expends funds in a State election to file a statement of certification regarding its status as a foreign corporation; and

(3) Requires noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the League of Women Voters Hawaii and one individual.

Your Committee finds that this measure will help preserve Hawaii's democratic self-governance by protecting the integrity of the State's elections from foreign corporate influence.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Making the measure effective upon its approval; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2738, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2738, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair