Action Alert: Support Good Government Reform Bills
Multiple good government reform bills will be heard this Tuesday and Wednesday in various committees. Please take a moment to support these bills aim to increase voter service centers, improve partial public funding, get corporate money out of politics, address bribery, and expand the legislative session.
If you have not done so already, you will need to create an account with the Hawaii State Legislature website to submit testimony.
Every action helps. Testifying on Zoom or in person is ideal, but not realistic for many. Writing personal testimony is powerful, but with so many bills, it’s not always possible. Even if you can’t submit full written testimony, logging in and selecting “Support” with your name and location still strengthens the record.
Good Government Priority Bills (see below for talking points and sample testimony)
Support SB2471 Reclaiming Democracy from Corporate Political Spending.
Support HB2050 Improving Partial Public Funding for Elections
Support HB1525 Expand Voter Service Centers
Support HB2052 and HB1519 Closing Contractor Donation Loophole
Support SB2824 Require Public Officials to Report Bribery
Other Good Government Bills to Support
Support SB2315 Fair Vote Counting for Constitutional Amendments
Support SB2380 Establishing a Continuous Legislative Session
Support SB2343 Study the Impacts of a Continuous Legislative Session
Support SB2397 Functional Quorum for Neighborhood Boards
Support SB2494 Extend the Bribery Statute of Limitations
Reclaiming Democracy from Corporate Political Spending
Hearing in CPN on Tuesday February 3rd, at 9:31 am; Conference Room 229
What Do These Bills Do?
SB2471 affirms the State’s authority to limit the powers of artificial persons and would prohibit corporations and similar entities from spending money in elections. The bill removes the power of corporations, nonprofits, labor unions, and other artificial entities to contribute funds or anything of value to influence candidates, PACs, political parties, or ballot questions. These restrictions apply broadly, including to out-of-state entities operating in Hawaiʻi, while preserving the political rights of individuals.
Why Is This Important?
Elections should reflect people, not corporate money. Artificial entities are state-created privileges, not natural rights holders. These bills reasserts that Hawaiʻi can set boundaries on the powers it grants.Even in a tough legal environment, this is a clear statement that our state should prioritize public trust and fair elections. Individuals can still donate, speak, associate, and participate politically
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Keohokalole, Vice Chair Fukunaga and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2471
This bill clarifies that the powers granted to artificial persons do not include spending money or anything of value to influence elections or ballot measures. This bill does not restrict any individual’s right to speak, organize, or participate in democracy. It simply defines the limits of what state-created entities may do as entities.
{Insert additional comments here}
SB2471 helps restore clarity, accountability, and confidence in our democratic system.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Improving Partial Public Funding for Elections
Hearing in JHA on Tuesday February 3rd, at 2 pm; Conference Room 235
What Does This Bill Do?
HB2050 aims to increase public funds that are available to candidates, increase the amount the state matches donations from 1:1 match to 2:1 match, and increase the expenditure limit for campaigns.
Why Is This Important?
The funding amounts and expenditure limits have remained unchanged since 1995. In that time, Hawai‘i’s cost of living has grown faster than the national average, impacting the true value of campaign funds. Increasing the match and updating the limits helps campaigns keep pace with rising expenses, such as printing, venue rentals, and advertising.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Dear Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of HB2050.
By increasing the expenditure cap and adjusting matching funds to 2:1, this measure reflects the economic realities of today and encourages more candidates to participate in the program.
Public financing levels the playing field for candidates without establishment backing, and allows campaigns to focus on reaching voters instead of donors.
{Insert additional comments here}
This bill is a significant step toward enabling more candidates to utilize this program and reduces the influence of big money in our elections.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Expand Voter Service Centers
Hearing in JHA on Tuesday February 3rd, at 2 pm; Conference Room 235
What Does This Bill Do?
HB1525 appropriates funding to expand voter service centers, ensures statewide distribution of the voter information guide, and supports voter outreach and engagement efforts.
Why Is This Important?
Expanding the number of voter service centers and increasing their hours makes it easier for people to register, vote, and get help, especially for working families, kūpuna, and rural communities. Funding the voter information guide ensures voters have clear, accessible, and unbiased election information. Supporting voter outreach helps ensure these investments are actually used and that eligible voters know where, when, and how to participate.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Dear Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of HB1525.
In-person voter service centers are essential, especially for kūpuna, neighbor island and rural residents, people with disabilities, first-time voters, and anyone who needs to address ballot discrepancies.
Over the past two elections, people had to wait hours in line to vote or drive over an hour to reach their closest voter service center.
{Insert additional comments here}
HB1525 will ensure every vote is cast and all votes are counted.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Closing Contractor Donation Loophole
Hearing in JHA on Tuesday February 3rd, at 2 pm; Conference Room 235
What Do These Bills Do?
HB1519 and HB2052 both aim to restrict campaign contributions from state or county contractors and grantees to reduce pay-to-play politics.
HB1519 applies to large contracts and grants exceeding $250,000. It prohibits donations to campaigns and political committees, and includes a disclosure requirement identifying compensated officers and their immediate family members.
HB2052 sets lower thresholds: $100,000 or more for goods or services contracts and $250,000 or more for construction contracts. It prohibits all political contributions from all officers and their immediate family members.
Why Is This Important?
Preventing contractors and grantees from donating to politicians reduces the risk of undue influence or favoritism in government decisions and in the awarding of contracts and grants.
When the public sees that government contracts and grants are free from political influence, their trust in elected officials and the government increases, leading to a better democracy.
Which Bill to Support?
The bills are very similar. HB2052 was written by the Campaign Spending Commission. This bill is broader, covers all contractors and grantees (including unpaid non-profit board members), and has a lower threshold.
HB1519, drafted by House Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs Committee Chair Tarnas, is more targeted. It implements feedback from similar legislation that made it all the way through to Conference Committee last year by focusing on paid officers of organizations and implementing disclosure requirements.
Please submit testimony to support both bills, and in your testimony, let lawmakers know which one you think is the stronger approach.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Dear Chair Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of HB1519 / HB2052
Preventing state and county contractors, grantees, and their families from making political contributions while their contracts or grants are active will close a serious loophole and ensure that public funds are used for their intended purposes, not to sway political campaigns or decisions.
{Insert additional comments here}
This bill makes our elections more honest and more transparent. It also builds trust by making sure contractors and grantees stay focused on their work without causing any perception of political strings attached. Please support.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Require Public Officials to Report Bribery
Joint hearing in PSM/LBT on Wednesday, February 4th, at 3 pm; Conference Room 225
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2824 establishes the offense of failure to report bribery as a misdemeanor. If a public servant reasonably knows that a bribe was offered, solicited, or accepted, they must report it to the Attorney General or a county prosecutor within 30 days.
Why Is This Important?
Bribery often continues not because it goes unnoticed, but because it goes unreported. While bribery is illegal, current law does not require public officials to report it, allowing misconduct to remain hidden or unaddressed.
Sample Testimony
Personalized testimony is the most impactful way to influence lawmakers, please use this as a guide to draft your own words
Aloha Chair Elefante, Chair Fukunaga,and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2824.
SB2824 will establish a clear duty for public servants to report known or suspected bribery. Public service should carry an obligation to speak up when bribery occurs.
This bill is important because bribery often persists when it is treated as an “open secret.” Even when people are aware something is wrong, the lack of a reporting requirement allows unethical behavior to remain hidden, uninvestigated, and normalized.
{Insert additional comments here}
This bill reinforces ethical standards, and helps restore trust in our government.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Mahalo for taking the time to support good governance in Hawai‘i.
In solidarity,
The HAPA Team
New to Legislative Engagement? Learn more about how to engage in the Legislative Session!
Make sure you have set up your account on the Hawaiʻi State Legislature website. If you are new to the process, see this helpful page on legislative engagement 101 from the Public Access Room including a link on how to submit testimony!
Mahalo for taking action!
