STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1180-24

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2024

RE: S.B. No. 2405

H.D. 1

Honorable Scott K. Saiki

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred S.B. No. 2405 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to authorize campaign funds to be used for a candidate's 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; Common Cause Hawaii; Hawaii State Democratic Women's Caucus; Vote Mama Foundation; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; and four individuals.

Your Committee finds that the Federal Election Commission and thirty-one states have already authorized the use of campaign funds for child care expenses. This measure would allow Hawaii to improve access to democracy by enabling parents and caregivers to campaign for public office.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

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

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. 2405, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2405, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

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

____________________________

DAVID A. TARNAS, Chair