STAND. COM. REP. NO. 868-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 1525

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 1525, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to appropriate funds to:

(1) The counties to open more voter service centers for in-person voting;

(2) The Office of Elections to print and mail the digital voter information guide to all registered voters; and

(3) The Office of Elections to support a public outreach and engagement campaign to encourage greater voter participation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Office of Elections; University of Hawaii Professional Assembly; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Honolulu Elections Division of the City and County of Honolulu and Elections Division of the Office of the County Clerk of the County of Hawaiʻi.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1525, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

____________________________

CHRIS TODD, Chair