HB 2051: Campaign Spending Commission Package; Cash Contribution Limits; Return of Contribution; Escheat

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.

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.

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  104-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2026

RE:   H.B. No. 2051

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 2051 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to require any excess cash contribution exceeding $100, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee to escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund if not returned to the contributor within thirty days.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission and League of Women Voters of Hawaii.

     Your Committee finds that existing law prohibits candidates, candidate committees, and noncandidate committees from accepting a contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during each election period.  This measure ensures that any excess cash contributions are returned to the contributor within thirty days and, if not returned within thirty days, are deposited into the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.  Thus, the treatment of excess cash contributions will be consistent with the treatment of other types of excess contributions.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2051 and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to your Committee on Finance.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs,