CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 161

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2025

RE: S.B. No. 1048

S.D. 2

H.D. 2

C.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir and Madam:

Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the Senate to the amendments proposed by the House of Representatives in S.B. No. 1048, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO SOLICITATION OF FUNDS FROM THE PUBLIC,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

The purpose of this measure is to amend Act 205, Session Laws of Hawaii 2024 (Act 205), by:

(1) Establishing separate registration, reporting, and fee requirements specific to platform charities and charitable fundraising platforms;

(2) Clarifying standards and safeguards in online crowdfunding; and

(3) Extending its effective date to July 1, 2026.

Your Committee on Conference finds that Act 205 was enacted in response to concerns over potentially fraudulent online fundraising platforms following the 2023 Maui wildfires. Among other things, Act 205 improved and expanded the Department of the Attorney General's regulation and enforcement of charitable fundraising activities through online platforms. Although Act 205 sought to ensure proper and transparent fundraising activities in the State, it has also imposed additional administrative burdens on charities and platforms, potentially slowing down donations and reducing the availability of support for the State's residents in times of crises. This measure seeks to strike a balance between targeting unscrupulous actors while providing charities with the necessary flexibility to raise funds for their charitable causes.

Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

(1) Changing its effective date to July 1, 2026; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 1048, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 1048, S.D. 2, H.D. 2, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

ON THE PART OF THE HOUSE

ON THE PART OF THE SENATE

____________________________ SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI Co-Chair	____________________________ JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE Chair
____________________________ JENNA TAKENOUCHI Co-Chair	____________________________ KARL RHOADS Co-Chair