Bill Text: HI HB2184 | 2024 | Regular Session | Amended

Hawaii House Bill 2184 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Relating To Campaign Finance.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-0)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2024-04-23 - Received notice of appointment of House conferees (Hse. Com. No. 806). [HB2184 Detail]

Download: Hawaii-2024-HB2184-Amended.html

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	2184
THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2024		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII		S.D. 1

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.

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

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that campaign finance integrity is essential to the preservation of the public trust. Yet, existing state law allows individuals who are convicted of certain public corruption offenses to maintain control of the funds in their campaign spending accounts and make political contributions during election cycles.

The purpose of this Act is to strengthen campaign finance integrity by:

(1) Prohibiting contributions from persons convicted of campaign finance, ethical, or lobbying offenses; and

(2) Authorizing the campaign spending commission and state ethics commission to notify a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee that a contributor has been prohibited from making political contributions pursuant to chapter 11, part XIII, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

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

"§11- Contributions by persons convicted or found in violation of certain offenses prohibited. (a) No person who has been convicted of a criminal offense under section 11-412, chapter 84 or 97, or a federal or county offense regarding the regulation of campaign finance, ethics, or lobbying activities shall:

(1) Directly or indirectly make any contribution, or promise expressly or impliedly to make any contribution, to any candidate, candidate committee, noncandidate committee, or person for any political purpose or use; or

(2) Knowingly solicit any contribution from any person for any purpose during any period.

(b) Funds that were received by a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee from a person found in violation of or convicted of violating subsection (a) shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund.

(c) The commission and state ethics commission may notify a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee that a person who contributed funds to the candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee did so in violation of subsection (a)."

SECTION 3. This Act does not affect rights and duties that matured, penalties that were incurred, and proceedings that were begun before its effective date.

SECTION 4. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on April 14, 2112.

Report Title:

Campaign Finance; Prohibitions; Hawaii Election Campaign Fund; Escheat; Return of Contributions

Description:

Prohibits contributions from persons convicted of various campaign finance, ethical, or lobbying offenses. Requires unlawful contributions to escheat to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund. Authorizes the Campaign Spending Commission and State Ethics Commission to notify a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee that a contributor has been prohibited from making political contributions pursuant to chapter 11, part XIII, Hawaii Revised Statutes Takes effect 4/14/2112. (SD1)

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