STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1631

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2023

RE: S.B. No. 9

S.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2023

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 9, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO BOARDS OF REGISTRATION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require members of each board of registration be a registered voter in the respective county of the board to which the member is appointed and remain a registered voter in that county for their term of office; and

(2) Establish methods for determining and verifying a board member's political party membership.

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

Your Committee finds that board of registration volunteers play an important role in maintaining election integrity by reviewing and deciding appeals that arise from a voter challenge or a clerk's decision regarding voter registration. Your Committee further finds that establishing a method for determining and verifying a board member's party affiliation will ensure each board of registration avoids overt bias and maintains the ability to make fair decisions concerning voter appeals and a clerk's decision.

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. 9, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair