First Hearing of Good Government Reform Bills
House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs will hear four important bills that work together to make our elections more transparent, fair, and accessible. Most importantly, these bills would collectively strengthen our democracy. The hearing is scheduled on Tuesday at 2 pm in Conference Room 325 (and virtually). Please take a moment to submit testimony in support of four good government bills. All testimony is due by 24 hours before hearings begin.
Support Partial Public Funding Increase HB370
Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all state and county elective offices.
What Does This Bill Do?
It updates and expands Hawaiʻi’s Partial Public Financing Program for elections to help candidates who agree to the campaign spending limits receive a certain amount of public funding.
The maximum amount of public money a candidate can receive is increased.
For example, candidates for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (which serves the entire State) would no longer be capped at a flat $1,500 but instead qualify for up to 10% of a spending limit set by law.
The bill lowers the minimum requirements for some offices to encourage more candidates to participate by reducing the amount of money a candidate must raise before qualifying for matching funds for certain offices.
Why Is This Important?
Increasing the amount of public funding and providing higher matching rates means that more candidates, especially those without large financial backers, can afford to run for office.
With stronger public financing, elected officials can focus more on community concerns rather than on fundraising from large donors.
Lowering the financial barriers helps bring new voices, including grassroots candidates, into the political process.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB370, which will modernize and improve Hawaii’s partial public financing program for elections.
By increasing the funding limits and adjusting qualifying contribution requirements, this measure reflects the economic realities of today and encourages more candidates to participate in the program. This bill is a significant step toward reducing the influence of big money in our election process.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HERE]
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Support Candidate Campaign Expenditures Reform HB772
Disallows the use of campaign funds to purchase up to two tickets for an event or fundraiser held by another candidate or committee.
What Does This Bill Do?
It changes Hawaiʻi’s campaign finance law so that candidates can no longer use their own campaign funds to buy tickets to other candidates’ fundraising events or gatherings. Before this bill, the law allowed a campaign to purchase up to two tickets to another candidate’s event.
Why Is This Important?
Campaign donations are meant to help a candidate run their own campaign. Removing the ability to buy tickets for another candidate’s event makes sure campaign funds are not quietly funneled to other campaigns.
This change helps prevent potential conflicts of interest or “pay-to-play” situations where candidates might feel pressured to support or attend each other’s events in exchange for political favors.
Campaign donations stay focused on the candidate’s own election and not on a way to indirectly support other campaigns.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB772, which removes a loophole in the campaign finance laws that allows candidates to donate to other campaigns in the form of purchasing 2 tickets to their fundraisers.
This change helps prevent potential conflicts of interest or “pay-to-play” situations where candidates might feel pressured to support or attend each other’s events in exchange for political favors.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR ANY ADDITIONS HERE]
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Support Closing Contractor Donation Loophole HB371
Prohibits state or county grantees, officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees from contributing to candidate or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract.
What Does This Bill Do?
It restricts contributions from contractors and grantees, meaning companies or individuals that have contracts or receive grants from the state or county, as well as their officers and immediate family members during the duration of their contract or grant.
This prevents indirect contributions to political campaigns through promises or implied intentions related to contracts or grants.
If a political committee receives an unlawful contribution, it must return the money within 30 days. If they fail to do so, the funds will automatically go to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.
Why Is This Important?
Preventing contractors and grantees from donating to political campaigns reduces the risk of undue influence or favoritism in government decisions and in the awarding of contracts and grants.
When the public sees that government contracts and grants are free from political influence, their trust in their elected officials and government increases.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB371, which prevents state and county contractors, grantees, and their families from making political contributions while their contracts or grants are active.
Closing this loophole is important because it ensures public funds are used for their intended purposes, not to sway political campaigns or decisions.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR ANY ADDITIONS HERE]
By removing a conflict of interest, this bill makes our elections more fair and transparent. It also builds trust by making sure contractors and grantees stay focused on their work without any perception of political strings attached.
Please support!
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Support Extending Mail-In Voter Registration Deadline HB408
Extends the deadline to register to vote by mail from 30 to 10 days prior to a primary or general election. Repeals obsolete language regarding permanent absentee ballots.
What Does This Bill Do?
It improves the voter registration process by extending the mail-in registration deadline from 30 days before an election to 10 days.
It also simplifies registration for those who can't register in person due to illiteracy, blindness, or other physical disabilities. They may easily register by mail and include a simple oath to confirm your information is truthful.
It is also accessible since it allows registration forms to be available through community groups, political parties, and when you apply for or renew your driver's license.
Why Is This Important?
Extending the mail-in registration deadline allows more people to have ample time to register, especially those who decide to vote closer to election day.
Simplifying the registration process for individuals with disabilities or those who cannot easily visit registration offices ensures everyone has the opportunity to vote.
Increasing access to registration forms through various channels, including online and when getting a driver's license, reduces barriers to registration.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB408, which extended the mail-in voter registration deadline to 10 days before the election. By allowing more time to register, it will ensure that more people have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process.
This bill is supported by the Office of Elections, the agency responsible for registering voters. We should support their initiatives to increase access and accessibility to voting.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL VOTING EXPERIENCE HERE]
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Senate Committee on Government Operations will be hearing an important AVR bill that will improve and streamline the process on Tues at 3 pm in Conference Room 225 & virtually. Please take a moment to submit testimony in support. Testimony is due by 24 hours before hearings begin.
Expand Automatic Voter Registration SB78
Makes an application for voter registration part of certain state agency application processes. Requires the sharing of certain information among certain state agencies, election personnel, and online voter registration system.
What Does This Bill Do?
It makes registering to vote easier and more efficient for everyone. Whenever you interact with a state agency, such as applying for a driver's license, you'll have the option to register to vote at the same time.
If you prefer not to register to vote or make changes to your registration, you can easily decline by checking a box.
Your information is shared securely between state agencies and election officials to ensure that voter registration is accurate and up-to-date. If you’re not a U.S. citizen, the system will not process your registration.
Why Is This Important?
By integrating voter registration into everyday interactions with state agencies, more people are likely to register to vote since it simplifies the process of registering.
The bill balances ease of registration with personal choice by allowing individuals to opt-out easily if they prefer not to participate.
Sample Testimony
Aloha Chair McKelvey, Vice Chair Gabbard, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of SB78, which expands Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) by integrating voter registration with state agencies, permits, programs, or services with "dual-purpose applications," allowing individuals to register to vote, update their voter information, or decline to register through a checkbox.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL VOTING EXPERIENCE HERE]
This reform simplifies the registration process, ensuring that more eligible residents can easily register to vote while maintaining the integrity of our voter rolls through secure and accurate information sharing. The bill also respects personal choice by allowing individuals to opt out and safeguards to prevent the registration of non-citizens.
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Other Good Government Bills We Are Tracking with Upcoming Hearings
Testimony due Monday Jan 27, at 9 AM
SB124 - Proposing amendments to Hawaii State Constitution Regarding Reapportionment.
Proposes a constitutional amendment to specify that reapportionment shall be based on the resident population (including temporary residents such as military) as counted in the most recent decennial United States census for the respective reapportionment year, rather than the permanent resident population.
Testimony due Monday, Jan 27, at 2 PM
HB134 - Electronic Nomination Papers
Requires the Chief Election Officer to provide a system for the electronic filing of nomination papers.
HB372 - Fundraising During Session
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.
HB662 - Candidate and Family Contributions to Campaign
Repeals the exemption for the expenditure of candidate's own funds under the definition of contribution. Makes contributions by the candidate's immediate family subject to contribution limits. Amends the loan amount that a candidate or candidate committee may receive from the candidate's own funds or immediate family.
View HAPA’s 2025 Good Government Policy Agenda
Learn more information about HAPA’s 2024 Good Government policy agenda and take action in support of these Reclaiming Democracy policy priorities!
New to Legislative Engagement? Learn more about how to engage in the Legislative Session!
Make sure you have set up your account on the Hawaii State Legislature website. If you are new to the process, see this helpful page on Legislative Engagement 101 from the Public Access Room, which includes a link on how to submit testimony!
Mahalo for taking action!
