Representatives say
bills also address money in politics, fight public corruption
Honolulu, HawaiÊ»i – House Leadership and Representatives gathered today to discuss a package of more than a dozen bills passed out of the House this session designed to reform elections, address money in politics, and fight public corruption.
“We are making it our priority to take proactive steps to ensure public confidence in our elections process and government,” said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki.
“These
bills represent the most significant reforms in HawaiÊ»i’s elections and ethics
laws in a generation," said House Judiciary Chair Chris Lee, introducer of
a number of the bills. "They will engage new voters, resolve election
recounts, and prevent questions over conflicts of interest and money in
politics here in HawaiÊ»i that currently plague Washington, D.C.”
Representative
Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair of the Labor & Public Employment Committee and
introducer of HB391
HD2,
added "It's important to reduce the potential for influence peddling and
ensure that those who wield power in public trust positions cannot exert
disproportionate influence over elections. Establishing a state version of the
federal Hatch Act will help better protect the integrity of our
elections."
"This
past election cycle has made it clear that our state needs an automatic recount
law on the books," said Representative Chris Todd, who introduced HB428. "The
integrity of our elections should never be in question and is the foundation of
a healthy democracy and public trust."
"With
declining voter turnout, I wanted to make it even easier to vote, especially
for our young people. This will allow them to take up their civic duty to chart
the future of this state," said Representative Stacelynn K.M. Eli, who
introduced HB 1217
HD1.
"That power comes from power of the vote. It is my hope that this will
encourage young people and everyone in the state to engage in the voting
process."
The
following comprise the package of elections and ethics reform bills passed by
the House:
Engaging More
Voters
HB1248
HD1
Makes it easier to vote by establishing voting by mail for all elections
statewide for 2020 and expanding in-person voting and ballot drop-off hours.
HB428
HD1
Requires an automatic recount of votes cast when the difference is equal to or
less than 100 votes or 0.5 percent, whichever is greater.
HB709
HD1
Proposes an amendment to the State Constitution which enables laws allowing for
the automatic recounts of votes in an election.
HB1485
HD2
Establishes a process for automatically preregistering or registering public
school students to vote who are at least 16.
HB1217
HD1
Requires that people who apply for a driver's license or identification card
are automatically registered to vote.
Reforming Campaign
Finance and Money in Politics
HB1380
HD1
Creates a comprehensive public funding program for candidates for county
elections beginning in 2022.
HB162
HD1
Significantly increases fines for campaign finance violations. Prohibits the
establishment of noncandidate committees that only make independent
expenditures within 14 days of any election.
HB1490
HD2
Closes a loophole in the prohibition on political contributions by state and
county contractors by including officers or board members of those companies as
prohibited donors.
HB163
HD1
Adds campaign spending report filing deadlines of April 30 and October 1 of a
general election year for candidates and candidate committees to ensure greater
transparency before absentee ballots mail out.
Addressing
Conflicts of Interest
HB1381
HD1
Prohibits former legislators and executive branch employees subject to senate
confirmation from engaging in lobbying for 24 months after termination of
employment as a legislator or executive branch employee.
HB361
HD1
Prohibits the governor or any county mayor from receiving any outside
compensation or emolument while in office.
HB391
HD2
Enacts state laws mirroring the federal Hatch Act which restricts state
employees and officers who perform adjudicatory, regulatory, law enforcement,
or investigatory duties from participating in partisan political activities.
HB712
HD1
Requires candidates for governor, mayor or president to disclose their tax
returns to the public to ensure their decisions are made in the best interest
of the public and not their own financial gain.
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