STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1533

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2005

RE: H.B. No. 1713

H.D. 1

S.D. 2

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2005

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 1713, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish a comprehensive public funding program for candidates running for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Prosecuting Attorney.

Specifically, this measure:

(1) Utilizes general fund moneys as the mechanism to publicly fund qualifying candidates for the Offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Prosecuting Attorney;

(2) Establishes qualifications and conditions that a candidate must satisfy before being eligible to receive comprehensive public funding;

(3) Establishes standards relating to the use of seed money by candidates;

(4) Imposes restrictions on the use of surplus campaign funds;

(5) Establishes reporting requirements on publicly funded candidates relating to documenting qualifying contributions, seed money contributions, and expenditures;

(6) Establishes the criteria as well as the process and procedure for a qualified candidate to receive equalizing funds; and

(7) Enacts penalty provisions, including criminal sanctions for violations of this program.

Your Committee finds that this measure enacts a comprehensive public funding program for candidates for the offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Prosecuting Attorney who are willing to abide by campaign contribution and expenditure limits.

Your Committee has amended the measure by making technical nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of accurately reflecting existing statutes, clarity, style, and to conform with recommended drafting procedures.

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 H.B. No. 1713, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Third Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1713, H.D. 1, S.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair