THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	643
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to campaign contributions.

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

SECTION 1. Section 11-357, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§11-357[]] Contributions to candidate committees; limits. (a) No person shall make contributions to:

(1) A candidate seeking nomination or election to a two-year office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $2,000 during an election period;

(2) A candidate seeking nomination or election to a four-year nonstatewide office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $4,000 during an election period; or

(3) A candidate seeking nomination or election to a four-year statewide office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $6,000 during an election period.

(b) For purposes of this section, the length of term of an office shall be the usual length of term of the office as unaffected by reapportionment, a special election to fill a vacancy, or any other factor causing the term of the office the candidate is seeking to be less than the usual length of term of that office.

(c) A contribution that exceeds the applicable limit pursuant to this section shall be returned to the contributor within thirty days of its receipt. Any excess contribution that is not returned within thirty days shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund established pursuant to section 11-421."

SECTION 2. Section 11-362, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"[[]§11-362[]] Contributions limited from nonresident persons. (a) Contributions from all persons who are not residents of the State at the time the contributions are made shall not exceed thirty per cent of the total contributions received by a candidate or candidate committee for each election period.

(b) This section shall not be applicable to contributions from the candidate's immediate family.

(c) A contribution from a nonresident that exceeds the applicable limit pursuant to this section shall be returned to the contributor within thirty days of its receipt. Any excess contribution from a nonresident that is not returned within thirty days shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund established pursuant to section 11-421."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Campaign Spending Commission Package; Contribution Limits; Return of Contribution

Description:

Requires that any over-limit contributions made to a candidate by resident and nonresident contributors shall be returned within thirty days of their receipt and provides that the excess contribution shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within thirty days.

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