STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2184

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2405

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2024

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Health and Human Services, 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 and intent of this measure is to allow an election candidate, treasurer, or candidate committee to use campaign funds for the candidate's child care and vital household dependent care costs under certain conditions.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Women's Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and Vote Mama Foundation.

Your Committee finds that child care obligations are one of the major factors families consider when weighing their decision to run for public office. Your Committee further finds that having young children should not deter any parent from considering running for office, and that the Federal Election Commission approves, and approximately thirty other states have enacted, legislation allowing candidates to use their campaign finances on caregiver expenses. This measure aligns the State with this national-level movement to enable a wider variety of individuals to run for public office.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Health and Human Services that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2405 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Judiciary.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Health and Human Services,

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JOY A. SAN BUENAVENTURA, Chair