Bill > SB809

This bill expands existing campaign finance restrictions to prevent potential undue influence in policy-making by prohibiting state or county grantees, contractors, and their owners, officers, and immediate family members from making campaign contributions during the duration of their contracts or grant agreements. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for these individuals and entities to directly or indirectly contribute to candidate or noncandidate committees or to knowingly solicit contributions. The legislation requires any recipient of an unlawful contribution to return the funds within 30 calendar days, after which the contribution will be transferred to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Additionally, the bill mandates that contractors and grantees disclose the names of their owners, officers, and immediate family members when entering into contracts over certain monetary thresholds, and requires state or county offices to make this information electronically available to the election commission. The purpose of these provisions is to improve the actual and perceived standards of conduct in government contracting and grant-making by reducing the potential for financial contributions to influence policy decisions.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=809&year=2025