Bill > HB2050

This bill aims to update and expand Hawaii's partial public financing of elections program, which provides government funds to candidates who agree to limit their campaign spending and meet certain fundraising thresholds. Key provisions include increasing the maximum amount of money candidates can spend, as well as the amount of public funds they can receive, with adjustments for different offices like governor, lieutenant governor, mayor, state senator, state representative, county council member, prosecuting attorney, and for the office of Hawaiian affairs. The bill also modifies the minimum amount of "qualifying contributions" – donations from individual residents that meet specific criteria – candidates must collect to be eligible for public funds, generally lowering these requirements for some offices while increasing them for others, particularly for the office of Hawaiian affairs. Furthermore, it doubles the matching fund rate, meaning candidates will receive $2 in public funds for every $1 of qualifying contributions they raise above the minimum requirement, and appropriates funds from the state's general revenues to support these increased program costs.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=2050&year=2026