Action Alert: Publicly Funding for Elections and Immigration Community Safety
More good government reform bills will be heard this Friday in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Immigration Community Safety bills are being heard Friday in the House Committee on Economic Development and Technology. Please take a moment to support these bills about publicly funded elections and community safety
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 SB2462 — Income Tax Check-Off to Support Fair Elections
Support SB2313 — Full Public Financing for State & County Elections
Support SB2528 — Strengthening Partial Public Financing for Candidates
Support SB2982— Ban Foreign-Influenced Corporate Spending in Hawaiʻi Elections
Immigration Community Safety (shared from Campaign for Immigrant Justice)
Support HB1838 — U & T Visa Certification Standards
Support HB1870 — Protected Community Locations
Support HB2445 — School Emergency Plan for Immigration Enforcement Activity
Support HB1886 — Identification Standards + Clarity on Authority and Collaborations
Support HB1839 — Rights Notice Before ICE Interviews + Transparency + Community Forums
Support HB2540 — Officer Identification + Limits on Civil Immigration Interrogation
Income Tax Check-Off to Support Fair Elections
Hearing in JDC on Friday February 6th, at 9 am; Conference Room 16
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2462 Increases the voluntary state income tax check-off amounts that taxpayers may designate to the Hawai'i Election Campaign Fund. Specifically, it increases the voluntary contribution from $3 to $6 for individual filers and increases the voluntary contribution from $6 to $12 for joint filers or taxpayers with higher state income tax liability.
It does NOT increase taxes. It allows taxpayers to voluntarily direct a small portion of the taxes they already pay to support publicly funded elections.
Why Is This Important?
SB2462 strengthens the system by modestly increasing the funds available, making it more viable for candidates to choose public financing and opening the door for more people to run for office without needing big-money backing.
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 Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2462
Publicly funded elections help reduce the influence of big money in our politics and make it possible for more people of diverse backgrounds to run for office. Strengthening the Hawai'i Election Campaign Fund through a voluntary tax check-off gives us, the voters, a simple way to support fairer elections without increasing our taxes.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Full Public Funding for Elections
Hearing in JDC on Friday February 6th, at 9 am; Conference Room 16
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2313 strengthens Hawaiʻi’s public campaign financing system by offering full public funding to qualified candidates for state and county office who agree not to accept private campaign donations.
Why Is This Important?
Hawaiʻi’s elections are increasingly shaped by outside money. Many residents believe elected officials are more responsive to their donors than to the communities they serve. This erodes trust and discourages engagement.
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 Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard, and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2313.
Too many people believe our political system is driven by money instead of community needs. Public financing is a proven way to reduce the influence of wealthy donors and special interests, while giving everyday people a real voice in our elections.
By allowing candidates to run competitive campaigns without relying on private donations, this bill helps level the playing field and encourages more community-focused leaders to step forward. It also allows elected officials to spend more time listening to constituents and working on solutions, instead of constantly fundraising.
Hawaiʻi has already shown a commitment to clean elections, and past pilot programs demonstrated that public financing can work here.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Improving Partial Public Funding for Elections
Hearing in JDC on Friday February 6th, at 9 am; Conference Room 16
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2528 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 Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard, and Members of the Committee,
I am in strong support of SB2528.
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 reducing the influence of big money in our elections.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Ban Foreign-Influenced Corporate Spending in Hawaiʻi Elections
Hearing in WLA on Friday February 6th, at 1 pm; Conference Room 224
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2982 prohibits political spending in Hawaiʻi elections by foreign-influenced corporations (FICs).
A foreign-influenced corporation is a U.S.-based company that has significant foreign ownership or control. Under current law, these corporations can spend money to influence state and local elections—even though foreign nationals themselves are barred from doing so.
SB2982 closes this loophole by making clear that corporations with substantial foreign ownership or influence cannot spend money to affect Hawaiʻi elections.
Why Is This Important?
SB2982 closes this loophole by making clear that corporations with substantial foreign ownership or influence cannot spend money to affect Hawaiʻi elections.
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 Lee, Vice Chair Inouye, and Members of the Committee,
I am writing in strong support of SB 2982.
Hawaiʻi’s democracy should be shaped by the people who live and vote here, not by multinational corporations with foreign ownership. While foreign nationals are barred from influencing elections, current law allows foreign interests to do so indirectly through corporate spending.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo for your consideration.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Sharing action alerts from Campaign for Immigrant Justice (HCIR, TLC, and ACLU HI)
Campaign for Immigrant Justice is a Hawaiʻi-based coalition of community organizations, advocates, faith leaders, and residents working to protect immigrant communities, advance civil rights, and promote public safety through trust, not fear.
Hearing in EDT on Friday February 6th, at 8:30 am; Conference Room 423
Support HB1838 — U & T Visa Certification Standards
Support because:
Creates clear, consistent statewide processes for U/T visa certifications for survivors.
Improves public safety by helping victims feel safe reporting and cooperating.
Provides training to help agencies implement certifications fairly and lawfully.
TALKING POINTS
TEMPLATE TESTIMONY
Support HB1870 — Protected Community Locations
Support because:
Ensures families can access schools, health care, shelters, and services without fear.
Establishes statewide standards, training, and privacy protections to prevent harm and confusion.
TALKING POINTS
TEMPLATE TESTIMONY
Support HB2445 — School Emergency Plan for Immigration Enforcement Activity
Support because:
Requires DOE to develop a clear response plan for immigration enforcement activity at/near schools.
Protects student safety and learning and reduces panic during emergencies.
TALKING POINTS
TEMPLATE TESTIMONY
Support HB1886 — Identification Standards + Clarity on Authority and Collaboration
Support because:
Improves accountability and public trust with clear identification standards.
Clarifies authority and collaboration rules, reducing confusion and potential harm.
TALKING POINTS
TEMPLATE TESTIMONY
Support HB1839 — Rights Notice Before ICE Interviews + Transparency + Community Forums
Support because:
Requires notice of rights before ICE interviews in custody—supporting informed consent and due process.
Improves transparency through public records and required community forums.
TALKING POINTS
TEMPLATE TESTIMONY
Support HB2540 — Officer Identification + Limits on Civil Immigration Interrogation
Support because:
Requires visible identification and policies that promote accountability and community trust.
Prohibits prolonging stops to inquire into civil immigration status—reducing risks of profiling and unnecessary detention.
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!
