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HB308
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B. NO.
308
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
A BILL FOR AN ACT
RELATING
TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS
.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
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SECTION 1.
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The legislature finds that providing public funds for qualifying
candidates has several benefits that support democratic processes and enhance
the integrity of elections.
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Under Hawaii's
partial public financing program, the overall cost of elections can be
controlled, discouraging excessive spending that leads to campaign "arms
races" and mitigating financial inequality among candidates.
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Offering public financing for elections
promotes fair competition by enabling candidates with limited personal wealth
or access to large donors to run viable campaigns.
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With financial barriers reduced, more
candidates can run for office, providing voters with a broader, more diverse
range of choices and fostering a healthier democratic environment.
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Public financing programs amplify the
voices of everyday citizens over large-scale donors by prioritizing voter
engagement.
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To receive matching
contributions in Hawaii, candidates are required to demonstrate that they have
a base of support from small-dollar donors in their constituency.
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This requirement ensures candidates are
connected to and representative of their communities.
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It also helps reduce the undue influence of
special interests on policy decisions by limiting or eliminating the need for
candidates to rely on large contributions from corporations, political action
committees, or wealthy individuals.
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Candidates who receive public funds must
agree to spending caps and restrictions on external funding, fostering a
culture of ethical and issue-focused campaigning.
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Candidates are also subject to detailed
reporting and oversight requirements, which increases transparency and
accountability in campaign financing.
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Voters
can be more confident that candidates in the public financing program run
ethical campaigns without hidden agendas.
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The legislature further finds that allocating
public funds or encouraging grassroots contributions is an investment in the
democratic system, ensuring it remains accessible and representative of the
people.
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When elections are seen as fair
and equitable, public trust in the democratic process increases, reinforcing
the legitimacy of elected officials.
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The purpose of this Act is to promote a
fairer, more equitable, and more representative electoral process by increasing
the matching fund payments to candidates in the partial public financing
program for excess qualifying contributions.
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SECTION
2
.
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Section 11-429,
Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by amending subsection (b) to read as
follows:
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"(b)
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A candidate shall obtain the minimum
qualifying contribution amount set forth in subsection (a) once for the
election period.
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[
(1)
]
If the candidate
obtains the minimum qualifying contribution amount, the candidate [
is
]
shall
be
eligible to receive:
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[
(A)
]
�
(1)
�
The minimum payment in an amount equal to the minimum qualifying
contribution amounts; and
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[
(B)
]
�
(2)
�
Payments of [
$1
]
$4
for
each $1 of qualifying contributions in excess of the minimum qualifying
contribution amounts[
; and
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(2)
]
.
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A candidate shall have at least one
other qualified candidate as an opponent for the primary or general election to
receive public funds for that election."
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SECTION 3.
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Statutory material to be repealed is
bracketed and stricken.
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New statutory
material is underscored.
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SECTION 4.
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This Act shall take effect upon its approval.
INTRODUCED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
Elections;
Partial Public Financing; Matching Funds
Description:
Increases
the matching fund payments to candidates in the partial public financing
program for excess qualifying contributions.
The summary description
of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is
not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.