STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2467

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2247

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 Judiciary, to which was referred S.B. No. 2247 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO POLITICAL FUNDRAISING BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit any executive branch employee who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaiʻi State Ethics Commission, Campaign Spending Commission, Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, and four individuals.

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

Your Committee finds that public confidence in state government depends on assurance that procurement decisions are made free from political influence. Even absent actual misconduct, the perception that fundraising relationships could influence contract awards or contract management can undermine trust in the fairness and integrity of governmental decision‑making. This measure will establish clear separation between procurement authority and campaign fundraising to protect vendors, public officials, and the public from circumstances that could reasonably call the objectivity of contracting decisions into question.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Specifying that an executive branch employee who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate, shall be prohibited from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities once confirmed and until employment in a covered positions ends; and

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

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2247, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as S.B. No. 2247, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

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

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KARL RHOADS, Chair