HB2051 • 2026

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

Elections

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: NAKAMURA (Introduced by request of another party)
Last action: 2026-02-10
Official status: Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Amato, Belatti, Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on what happens if someone gives more than $100 but less than the total limit.

Campaign Contribution Limits in Hawaii

This bill amends the rules regarding campaign contributions by requiring that any excess cash contribution over $100 must be returned to the donor within 30 days, otherwise it goes to the Hawaii election campaign fund.

What This Bill Does

Amends section 11-364 of HRS to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash from a single person during an election period shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned within 30 days.

Who It Names or Affects

Campaigns and committees in Hawaii
People who give money to campaigns

Terms To Know

Escheat: When something, like extra campaign money, goes to the government instead of being returned.

Limits and Unknowns

Only applies to cash contributions over $100.
Does not specify what happens if someone gives more than $100 but less than the total limit.
The bill has not been signed into law yet.

Bill History

2026-02-10 H
Passed Second Reading and referred to the committee(s) on FIN with Representative(s) Amato, Belatti, Reyes Oda, Souza voting aye with reservations; Representative(s) Pierick voting no (1) and none excused (0).
2026-02-09 H
Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 104-26), recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.
2026-02-03 H
The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Cochran, Kahaloa, Sayama, Takayama, Garcia, Shimizu; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Hashem.
2026-01-30 H
Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 02-03-26 2:00PM in House conference room 325 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-01-28 H
Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 3
2026-01-26 H
Introduced and Pass First Reading.
2026-01-23 H
Pending introduction.

Official Summary Text

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
Campaign Spending Commission Package; Cash Contribution Limits; Return of Contribution; Escheat
Amends section 11-364, HRS, to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2051

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2051

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING
TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS
.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

����
SECTION
1
.
�
Section 11-364, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is
amended by amending subsection (a) to read as follows:

����
"(a)
�
Any candidate, candidate committee, or
noncandidate committee that receives in the aggregate more than the applicable
contribution limit in section
11-351,
11-357, 11-358, 11-359, or 11-360
shall return any excess contribution to the contributor within thirty days of
receipt of the excess contribution.
�
Any
candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee that receives in the
aggregate more than the applicable contribution limit in section 11-362 shall
return any excess contribution to the contributor within thirty days of the end
of the election period; provided that the candidate, candidate committee, or
noncandidate committee may choose which contributions to return.
�
Any excess contribution not returned to the
contributor within thirty days shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign
fund."

����
SECTION
2.
�
This Act does not affect rights and
duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were
begun before its effective date.

����
SECTION 3.
�
New statutory material is underscored.

����
SECTION 4.
�
This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

By Request

Report Title:

Campaign
Spending Commission Package; Cash Contribution Limits; Return of Contribution;
Escheat

Description:

Amends
section 11-364, HRS, to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100
in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a
candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the
Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within 30
days.

The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.