STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2825

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.B. No. 2313

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 S.B. No. 2313, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CANDIDATES TO ELECTED OFFICE,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to establish, require legislative reports regarding, and appropriate moneys for a comprehensives system of public financing for candidates seeking state or county elected office.

Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission, a member of the Hawaii County Council, Free Access Coalition, Kupuna for the Moopuna, Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, Kauai Women's Caucus, League of Women Voters of Hawaii, Clean the Pacific, 350Hawaii, Sierra Club of Hawaii, Indivisible Hawaii Statewide Network, Democratic Party of Hawaii, Green Party of Hawaii, Imua Alliance, Association of Hawaiians for Homestead Lands, and numerous individuals.

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from two individuals.

Your Committee received written comments on this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that the updated election campaign public financing structure proposed by this measure will help support more extensive candidate participation in elections, ensure fair competition, and hold elected officials accountable to all voters rather than to a handful of major donors.

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 S.B. No. 2313, 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