STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3618

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 2050

H.D. 1

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2050, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to facilitate the partial public financing of elections by making certain amendments to applicable law.

Specifically, the measure:

(1) Increases the aggregate expenditure limits for candidates whose campaigns are partially publicly financed;

(2) Increases the maximum amount of public funding available to candidates;

(3) Changes the minimum qualifying contribution requirements for candidates for certain offices; and

(4) Appropriates an unspecified sum into the Hawaii election campaign fund.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Campaign Spending Commission, Imua Alliance, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and seven individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from one individual.

Your Committee finds that significant amendments to the amounts available to candidates in Hawaii's partial public financing program were last made in 1995. Your Committee also finds that inflation has subsequently affected the value of the dollar, so that it takes approximately $2.12 in today's dollars to match the purchasing power of one dollar from 1995. Your Committee believes that the amendments made by this measure are necessary to account for inflation and to ensure sufficient financing for qualifying candidates for public office.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2050, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

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DONOVAN M. DELA CRUZ, Chair