STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1292-00

                                 Honolulu, Hawaii
                                                   , 2000

                                 RE: S.B. No. 2147
                                     S.D. 1
                                     H.D. 1




Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say
Speaker, House of Representatives
Twentieth State Legislature
Regular Session of 2000
State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs, to which
was referred S.B. No. 2147, S.D. 1, entitled: 

     "A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to eliminate graduated limits
on campaign contributions to candidates for different races. 

     The Campaign Spending Commission and a concerned individual
testified in support of this measure.  The League of Women Voters
testified in support of the intent of the measure and suggested
amendments.
  
     Your Committee finds that S.B. No. 2147, as introduced,
proposed a reduction in campaign spending limits to compensate
for shorter than usual terms of office following the November
2002, elections, because of reapportionment.  Your Committee
further finds that extending the reduced limits to all races
during the 2002 election cycle, as provided for in S.B. No. 2147,
S.D. 1, makes for greater simplicity.  Your Committee believes it
is appropriate to return to the present system of graduated
funding levels following completion of the reapportionment
process.

     Your Committee further finds it appropriate to provide for
return of excess funds to contributors who may be unaware of the
limits. 

 
 
                                 STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1292-00
                                 Page 2

 
     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this bill by:

     (1)  Adding a sunset provision for the reduced limits
          effective after the 2002 election; and 

     (2)  Adding a new section that amends section 11-204(e),
          Hawaii Revised Statutes, to provide that excess funds
          received by a candidate or committee beyond the
          applicable limit will be returned to the donor rather
          than be transferred to the Hawaii Election Campaign
          Fund.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your
Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to
this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and
purpose of S.B. No. 2147, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and
recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached
hereto as S.B. No. 2147, S.D. 1, H.D. 1, and be placed on the
calendar for Third Reading.

                                   Respectfully submitted on
                                   behalf of the members of the
                                   Committee on Judiciary &
                                   Hawaiian Affairs,

                                   ______________________________
                                   ERIC G. HAMAKAWA, Chair