Report Title:

Constitutional Convention; Public Funding; Appropriation

 

Description:

Provides for full public funding for delegate candidates for the constitutional convention.  Appropriates funds.

 


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

3296

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2008

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to a constitutional convention.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 


     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that there is considerable interest throughout the community regarding the notion of a future constitutional convention.  Many anticipate strong grassroots interest in a constitutional convention and possibly a large influx of new people getting involved and running to be delegates.

     The legislature also finds that elections for constitutional convention delegates are surprisingly absent from the existing campaign spending law.  The last constitutional convention was held thirty years ago, and the cost of campaigning has swelled enormously over the past few decades.

     Meanwhile, there has been growing interest in establishing a comprehensive public funding program for election campaigns in Hawaii.  A comprehensive public funding program would reduce the influence of private money in elections and open up the electoral process to new participants.

     Given these trends, there is an exceptional opportunity for establishing a new campaign finance system for candidates running for constitutional convention delegates.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a comprehensive public funding option for candidates for constitutional conventions, to provide an alternative to private funding sources and encourage ordinary citizens to run for constitutional convention seats.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 11, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§11-     Comprehensive public funding for constitutional convention delegates.  (a)  The campaign spending commission shall establish a comprehensive public funding program for candidates running for the office of constitutional convention delegate.

     (b)  To qualify for comprehensive public funding, a candidate shall not be unopposed and shall be in receipt of $500 in qualifying campaign contributions from citizens residing in the candidate's constitutional convention delegate district; provided that the aggregate of contributions received from any citizen shall not exceed $25. 

     (c)  Upon qualifying for comprehensive public funding, the candidate shall receive public funding equal to $2.50 per registered voter in the candidate's constitutional convention delegate district and shall be prohibited from soliciting, receiving, or spending any funds from any other source.

     (d)  Candidates receiving comprehensive public funding shall file reports as required under sections 11-212 and 11-213, and at other times as determined by the campaign spending commission."

     SECTION 3.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $            or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009 for the comprehensive public funding program for candidates running for the office of constitutional convention delegate.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the campaign spending commission for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that section 3 shall take effect on July 1, 2008.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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