Report Title:

Hawaii Election Campaign Fund; Individual Donation

 

Description:

Increases from $2 to $5 the amount any individual (and $10 for a couple filing jointly) may specify to the Hawaii election campaign fund on the individual's state income tax return. (SD2)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

834

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

Relating to Hawaii election campaign fund.

 

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the public funding of elections and campaigns can reduce the spiraling cost of campaigns and lessen the influence of special interest money, while encouraging increased interaction between candidates and constituents. Through the current income check-off system, members of the public can designate a portion of their income tax liability to be paid over to the Hawaii election campaign fund.

The purpose of this Act is to increase the amount of the income tax liability that may be designated to the fund.

SECTION 2. Section 235-102.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

"§235-102.5 Income check-off authorized. Any individual whose state income tax liability for any taxable year is [$2] $5 or more may designate [$2] $5 of the liability to be paid over to the Hawaii election campaign fund, any other law to the contrary notwithstanding, when submitting a state income tax return to the department of taxation. In the case of a joint return of a husband and wife having a state income tax liability of [$4] $10 or more, each spouse may designate that [$2] $5 be paid to the fund. The director of taxation shall revise the individual state income tax form to allow the designation of contributions to the fund on the face of the tax return and immediately above the signature lines. An explanation shall be included which clearly states that the check-off does not constitute an additional tax liability. If no designation was made on the original tax return when filed, a designation may be made by the individual on an amended return filed within twenty months and ten days after the due date for the original return for such taxable year. A designation once made whether by an original or amended return may not be revoked."

SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act upon its approval, shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 3001.