Good Government Bills Up This Week — Testimony Deadlines Feb 17 & 18
Good Government Bills Up This Week - Testimony Deadlines Feb 17 & 18
While the Attorney General’s Special Investigation and Prosecution Division (SIPD) reviews the $35,000 bribery scandal, we still believe a firewall is needed. Clean Elections Hawaiʻi urges the appointment of an independent special prosecutor so the investigation is fair and trusted. An independent review protects everyone and helps ensure the public can trust the results, no matter what they are.
Your voice is making a difference. Collectively, we have been able to advance fully publicly funded elections in the Senate, partial public funding improvements in House and Senate, bold ideas to address primary elections and how to curb the influence of corporate money in elections.
This week, more good government bills are set for hearings on Wednesday and Thursday. Lawmakers need to hear from the public right now. With elections coming up, leadership and accountability are more important than ever.
The action alert is below.
Good Government Priority (see below for talking points and sample testimony)
Testimony due: Tuesday 2/17 at 9:00 am:
Support SB2143 — Chief Election Officer Vacancy Process
Support SB2239 — Expanding Automatic Voter Registration
Support SB2830 — Strengthening Penalties for Public Official Misconduct
Testimony due: Wednesday 2/18 at 2:00 pm:
Support HB1716 — Continuous Ballot Qualification for Political Parties
Other Good Government Bills to Watch
HB 2106 —Expanded Financial Disclosure Requirements
HB2099 — Executive Branch Fundraising Restrictions
HB2107 — Election Vacancy Process Reform
SB 2914 and HB2184 —Lawmaker Public 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.
___
Chief Election Officer Vacancy Process
Hearing in JDC on Wednesday, February 18th, at 9:00 am; Conference Room 061
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2143 ensures continuity in election administration by designating the Attorney General to serve as Interim Chief Election Officer if the position becomes vacant, until the Elections Commission appoints a replacement.
Why Is This Important?
Elections operate on strict timelines. Ballots must be prepared, voter rolls maintained, and statutory deadlines met. Even a short leadership gap can create uncertainty, delay, or legal risk.
SB2143 provides a clear and temporary solution to maintain stability if a vacancy occurs. Continuity in election administration strengthens public confidence and protects the integrity of our democratic processes.
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,
SB 2143 protects the stability of Hawaiʻi’s election system by ensuring there is no gap in leadership if the Chief Election Officer position becomes vacant.
Elections require constant oversight and strict compliance with legal deadlines. This bill provides a clear interim structure so that election administration continues without disruption while the Elections Commission appoints a permanent replacement.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
___
Expanding Automatic Voter Registration
Hearing in JDC on Wednesday, February 18th, at 9:00 am; Conference Room 061
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2239 strengthens Hawaiʻi’s automatic voter registration system by shifting it from an opt-in model to an opt-out model when eligible residents interact with the DMV. It also allows other state agencies to register voters if they are able to verify the same information.
The bill does not change who is eligible to vote and does not register non-citizens. It simply modernizes how eligible voters are added to the rolls using existing, verified government records.
Why Is This Important?
Automatic voter registration is a proven, practical reform that strengthens democracy without compromising election integrity.
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,
This bill strengthens our democracy by modernizing Hawaiʻi’s automatic voter registration system. By shifting to an opt-out model during routine DMV transactions, SB2239 removes unnecessary barriers that prevent eligible voters from being registered, while fully preserving voter choice and eligibility requirements.
SB2239 increases the accuracy of voter rolls, and reduces administrative burdens, all without changing who is eligible to vote or compromising election integrity.
{Insert additional comments here}
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
___
Strengthening Penalties for Public Official Misconduct
Hearing in JDC on Wednesday, February 18th, at 9:00 am; Conference Room 061
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2830 ensures that misconduct in public office cannot escape review simply because it was concealed long enough. It extends the statute of limitation for crimes committed by public servants in their official capacity by allowing misconduct to be prosecuted at any time while the perpetrator remains in public service and for up to ten years after they leave office.
Why Is This Important?
SB 2830 reinforces the principle that public service carries heightened responsibility and that accountability must remain possible even when it comes to light years later.
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,
SB2830 strengthens accountability for misconduct in public office.
Public servants hold positions of trust. When misconduct occurs, it is often concealed and may take years to uncover. This bill ensures that someone cannot avoid accountability simply because enough time has passed.
{Insert additional comments here}
Accountability strengthens public confidence in government and reinforces the responsibility that comes with holding public office.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
___
Continuous Ballot Qualification for Political Parties
Hearing in JHA on Thursday, February 19th, at 2:00 pm; Conference Room 325
What Does This Bill Do?
HB 1716 allows political parties that have been continuously listed on Hawai’i’s general election ballot for twenty or more years to remain qualified without having to repeatedly re-petition for ballot access.
Why Is This Important?
If a political party has appeared on the ballot for twenty plus years, it has already demonstrated real and sustained voter support. Requiring such parties to repeatedly re-petition creates unnecessary administrative work for both the party and the State without improving election integrity.
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 Tarnas, Vice Chair Poepoe, and Members of the Committee,
I am writing in support of HB 1716.
This bill recognizes that political parties that have maintained ballot access for twenty consecutive years have already demonstrated sustained voter support and compliance with election laws.
{Insert additional comments here}
HB 1716 promotes fairness and consistency while preserving the authority of election officials to enforce all other legal requirements. Please support HB 1716
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
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!
