STAND. COM. REP. NO. 708

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 627

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 627 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 authorize election candidates to use campaign funds for child care and vital household dependent care costs under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission, Hawai‘i Children's Action Network Speaks!, Vote Mama Foundation, and two individuals.

Your Committee finds that individuals who take on primary child and other dependent caregiving roles offer important, unique insights into policymaking. However, the high cost of child and dependent care may prohibit individuals, particularly those from working class backgrounds, from seeking office. Recognizing that child care obligations weigh heavily on an individual's decision to run for election, in 2018, the Federal Election Commission authorized federal candidates to spend campaign funds on child care expenses. This measure therefore aligns state statute with federal regulations to help support child caregivers running for office in the State and extend the same treatment to other vital household dependent caregivers.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 627 and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary,

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KARL RHOADS, Chair