Bill Text: HI HB1976 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Relating To The Office Of Elections.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-03-22 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM. [HB1976 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB1976-Introduced.html

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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1976
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

relating to the office of elections.

 

 

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

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that removing barriers for persons with voting accessibility needs ensure that all individuals have equal access to the voting process.  Existing law requires the state office of elections and each county election office on accessibility and ways to remove barriers, promoting greater participation in voting by individuals with access needs who may be otherwise excluded.  However, understanding the unique needs of each community statewide can provide valuable insight on current and future accessibility issues for voters.

     Therefore, the purpose of this Act is to appropriate funds to the office of elections for the statewide elections accessibility needs advisory committee to carry out its mandate.

     SECTION 2.  In accordance with section 9 of article VII of the Hawaii State Constitution and sections 37-91 and 37-93, Hawaii Revised Statutes, the legislature has determined that the appropriations contained in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act will cause the state general fund expenditure ceiling for fiscal year 2024-2025 to be exceeded by $           or       per cent.  This current declaration takes into account general fund appropriations authorized for fiscal year 2024-2025 in Act 164, Regular Session of 2023, and this Act only.  The reasons for exceeding the general fund expenditure ceiling are that:

     (1)  The appropriation made in this Act is necessary to serve the public interest; and

     (2)  The appropriation made in this Act meets the needs addressed by this Act.

     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 2024-2025 for the statewide elections accessibility needs advisory committee for information gathering, outreach, and voter education expenses approved by the committee; provided that any funds appropriated pursuant to this Act shall be in addition to and shall not supplant any portion of the base budget of the office of elections.

     The sum appropriated shall be expended by the office of elections for the purposes of this Act.

     SECTION 4.  Beginning with fiscal year 2025-2026 and each fiscal year thereafter, the office of elections shall include in its annual budget request line-item funding for the statewide elections accessibility needs advisory committee.  To ensure the continuation of voter education and outreach, the amount of funding requested shall scale proportionally with fulfilled needs and funding requests received by the statewide elections accessibility needs advisory committee.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.

 

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title:

Deaf and Blind Task Force; Office of Elections; Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee; Voter Education; Expenditure Ceiling; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Office of Elections Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee to provide voter education and outreach services for individuals with accessibility needs.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.