HB 372: Campaign Spending Commission Package; Solicitation and Acceptance; Campaign Contributions; State Legislators

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 11-357, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§11-357[]]  Contributions to candidate committees; limits[.]; contributions to state legislators; when prohibited.  (a)  No person shall make contributions to:

     (1)  A candidate seeking nomination or election to a two‑year office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $2,000 during an election period;

     (2)  A candidate seeking nomination or election to a four‑year nonstatewide office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $4,000 during an election period; or

     (3)  A candidate seeking nomination or election to a four‑year statewide office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $6,000 during an election period.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, the length of term of an office shall be the usual length of term of the office as unaffected by reapportionment, a special election to fill a vacancy, or any other factor causing the term of the office the candidate is seeking to be less than the usual length of term of that office.

     (c)  During any regular session or special session of the legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session and any legislative recess day, holiday, or weekend, no state senator or state representative shall solicit or accept campaign contributions."

     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.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

Report Title:

Campaign Spending Commission Package; Solicitation and Acceptance; Campaign Contributions; State Legislators

Description:

Prohibits state legislators from soliciting and accepting campaign contributions during any regular session or special session of the Legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session or any legislative recess day, holiday, or weekend.  (HD1)

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

A BILL FOR AN ACT

Relating to Campaign Contributions.

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

     SECTION 1.  Section 11-357, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]§11-357[]]  Contributions to candidate committees; limits[.]; contributions to elected officials; when prohibited.  (a)  No person shall make contributions to:

     (1)  A candidate seeking nomination or election to a two‑year office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $2,000 during an election period;

     (2)  A candidate seeking nomination or election to a four‑year nonstatewide office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $4,000 during an election period; or

     (3)  A candidate seeking nomination or election to a four‑year statewide office or to a candidate committee in an aggregate amount greater than $6,000 during an election period.

     (b)  For purposes of this section, the length of term of an office shall be the usual length of term of the office as unaffected by reapportionment, a special election to fill a vacancy, or any other factor causing the term of the office the candidate is seeking to be less than the usual length of term of that office.

     (c)  During any regular session or special session of the legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session and any legislative recess day, holiday, or weekend, no elected official as defined in section 11-342(d) shall solicit or accept campaign contributions."

     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.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

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

Report Title:

Campaign Spending Commission Package; Solicitation and Acceptance; Campaign Contributions; Candidate Committees.

Description:

Prohibits state and county elected officials from soliciting and accepting campaign contributions during any regular session or special session of the state legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session or any legislative recess day, holiday, or weekend.

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.  823

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 372

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 372 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit state and county elected officials from soliciting and accepting campaign contributions during any regular session or special session of the Legislature, including extensions of any regular session or special session or any legislative recess day, holiday, or weekend.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Campaign Spending Commission; Hawaiʻi Alliance for Progressive Action; and seven individuals.  Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from one individual.

     Your Committee finds that this measure would promote a fairer electoral system by reducing the financial advantage of incumbents and ensuring that legislators prioritize their duties to constituents over fundraising.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by narrowing the scope of the prohibition to only state legislators, rather than all state and county elected officials.

     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. 372, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 372, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.

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