Bill > HB766

This bill establishes a comprehensive public financing system for candidates seeking state and county offices in Hawaii, beginning with the 2026 general election. The program allows candidates to receive public funds by collecting a minimum number of $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters in their district, with the number of required contributions varying by office (for example, 6,250 for governor and 125 for state representative). Certified candidates who participate must agree to strict rules: they cannot accept private contributions during their campaign and must use only the public funds provided, with allocations ranging from $50,000 for state representatives to $2,500,000 for gubernatorial candidates. The bill aims to reduce the influence of special interest money in elections, increase public confidence in the electoral process, and encourage meaningful citizen participation. Candidates must submit detailed reports and can face significant penalties for violating the program's rules, including fines and loss of public funding. The state will appropriate $30.2 million to establish the program's funding, and the Campaign Spending Commission will be responsible for implementing and overseeing the new public financing system, with requirements to submit progress reports to the legislature in 2026, 2027, and 2028, and a final report in 2029.

Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=766&year=2026