Good Government Bills Crossover Update
We have been tracking 135 Good Government bills spanning campaign finance reform, voting access, ethics accountability, and government transparency. As of March 12, 2026, 41 bills and resolutions remain alive and 1 has been formally adopted.
Campaign Finance Reform and Publicly Funded Elections
Multiple packages were introduced by the Campaign Spending Commission, the Good Government Caucus, and individual legislators.
ALIVE: SB2313 (comprehensive public funding), HB2050, SB2528 (partial public funding and increasing expenditure limit)
ALIVE: HB1520, SB2447 (statute of limitations from discovery), HB1519, SB2530 (contractor contribution bans), and SB2982 (foreign entity ban) all advanced.
DEAD: HB2238 (Comprehensive public financing), and multiple matching fund increases died without hearings. HB2052 (CSC contractor ban) was deferred by JHA in favor of HB1519..
Voter Access & Elections
Bills to expand voter service centers, fund outreach, and implement automatic voter registration faced a highly mixed fate.
ALIVE: 2025 bill, HB322 (automatic voter registration via DMV) passed the House, after a resurrection from FIN, with 7 no votes on floor, and is now in the Senate. SB2239 passed the Senate and awaits the House.
ALIVE: HB1525 (voter service center funding) needs a Senate hearing:
DEAD: Senate bill SB2728 (voter service center funding), was deferred by JDC.
DEAD: SB2480, a proposal to change primary elections to the top two candidates instead of party preference, was re-referred to JDC with no opposition, meaning it will not crossover and is effectively dead.
Ethics, Bribery & Accountability
Bribery and ethics accountability bills saw notable momentum, partly driven by the ongoing investigation into an alleged 2022 cash payment to a legislator.
ALIVE: SB2830 (extend misconduct statute of limitations), SB2249 (heightened bribery penalties), SB2737 (failure to report bribery), SB2246 and SB2248 (expanded financial disclosures).
DEAD: HB2123 (misconduct statute of limitations) and HB2124 (failure to report bribery) both died without JHA hearings despite broad bipartisan co-sponsorship.
Civic Education
Civic education bills had one of the better survival rates, suggesting broader legislative appetite.
ALIVE: HB763 (civic education trust fund from 2025) needs Senate EDN hearing.
DEAD: HB2127, passed out of EDU but failed to get a FIN hearing.
Corporate Spending in Elections ("Money Not Free Speech")
Bills limiting corporate and artificial-person election spending faced strong resistance.
ALIVE: SB2471 (limit artificial person election spending, SD2) passed the Senate. SB2982 (a ban on foreign-influenced entity contributions) also passed and is awaiting referrals.
DEAD: SB2040 (constitutional amendment on corporate speech) was deleted from a committee agenda. SB2039 and HB2125 and HB2130 were deferred or died without hearings.
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)
The following high-priority alive bills are being Tuesday March 17, action alert is below.
HB1519 — Contractor/Grantee Contribution Ban
HB322 — Automatic Voter Registration
HB1716 — Political Party Verification
SB2143 — Order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer
SB2247 — Executive Branch Fundraising Ban
Other Good Government Bills to Support
HB2099 — Party candidate and state senator vacancies.
SB2312 — UIPA Records Retention
SB2499 — Party candidate and state senator vacancies.
SB2532 — Electronic Campaign Spending Forms
SB2466 — Chief Election Office Termination by Cause
Contractor/Grantee Contribution Ban
Hearing in GVO on Tuesday March 17th, at 3:05 pm; Conference Room 225
What Does This Bill Do?
HB1519 HD1 strengthens Hawaiʻi's campaign finance law in two important ways. First, it expands the existing ban on campaign contributions by state contractors to also cover the paid officers of those contractors and their immediate family members. Second, it extends those same prohibitions to organizations receiving state grants over $250,000. It also requires disclosure of who those officers and family members are, so the public can actually verify that the rules are being followed.
Why HB 1519 HD1 Matters
Right now, a company can win a million-dollar state contract, and while the company itself can't write campaign checks, its CEO and their spouse can. And organizations receiving hundreds of thousands in state grant funding face no contribution restrictions at all. HB1519 HD1 closes both of those gaps. When public money is on the line, the public deserves to know who is benefiting and whether those same people have political access to the officials who control the purse strings.
What Amendment is Needed
Right now, the current bill is limiting the ban only to the same branch of government awarding or administering the contract and have removed county contractors and officers. The Campaign Spending Commission has warned that restricting the ban this way undermines the intent of the bill and leaves open obvious workarounds. The Commission also noted that contractors have sometimes gotten around contribution bans by routing donations through connected individuals, including officers, family members, and even reimbursed straw donors using false names. We recommend removing the same branch of government restriction and including officers and the immediate family members of county contractors to the ban.
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 McKelvey, Vice Chair Gabbard, and members of the Committee,
I'm submitting testimony in support of HB1519 HD1.
This bill closes a loophole that honestly should have been closed a long time ago. Right now, a company can hold a state contract and the company itself can't make campaign contributions, but the CEO and their family members can. And organizations receiving large state grants? No restrictions at all. That doesn't make sense.
{Insert additional comments here}
HB1519 HD1 fixes this by extending those contribution restrictions to officers and their immediate family members for the life of the contract or grant, and by requiring public disclosure of who those people are. When public money is involved, the public deserves to know what's going on.
I urge the committee to pass HB1519 HD1.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Automatic Voter Registration
Hearing in GVO on Tuesday March 17th, at 3:05 pm; Conference Room 225
What Does This Bill Do?
HB322 HD2 shifts Hawaiʻi's voter registration system from opt-in to opt-out. When eligible residents apply for or renew a driver's license, instruction permit, provisional license, or state ID, and they have already provided verified proof of U.S. citizenship, their information will automatically be used to register or preregister them to vote, unless they choose to decline. The bill also allows the Office of Elections to expand automatic voter registration to other state agencies that already collect and verify the same key eligibility information.
Why HB 322 HD2 Matters
Hawaiʻi's 2024 primary turnout was around 32%. That is not because people don't care. It is partially because registration is still a barrier for too many eligible residents, especially young people, working families, and people who move frequently. This bill removes that barrier without changing who is eligible to vote, without registering non-citizens, and while preserving every individual's right to opt out. It also keeps voter rolls more accurate and reduces administrative costs for election officials.
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 McKelvey, Vice Chair Gabbard, and members of the Committee,
I'm submitting testimony in strong support of HB322 HD2.
Hawaiʻi's voter turnout has been dropping, and one of the most straightforward fixes is making registration easier. Right now, eligible residents have to take an extra step to register even when they're already handing verified information to the state. That is silly.
{Insert additional comments here}
HB322 HD2 changes that by automatically registering eligible applicants during DMV transactions, unless they opt out. It doesn't change who can vote. It just removes an unnecessary barrier for people who are already eligible.
Please pass HB322 HD2.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Political Party Verification
Hearing in JDC on Tuesday March 17th, at 9:55 am; Conference Room 016
What Does This Bill Do?
HB1716 HD1 creates a continuous qualification pathway for political parties that have been listed on the general election ballot for eight consecutive years or more. Instead of requiring those parties to repeatedly petition to stay on the ballot, the Chief Election Officer would certify their eligibility based on historical ballot records. Parties can still lose this status if they dissolve, stop fielding candidates, or fail to meet filing and reporting requirements.
Why HB1716 HD1 Matters
Right now, even parties with decades of demonstrated voter support have to go through the petition process again and again just to stay on the ballot. That costs time and money for the parties and for the Office of Elections, and it doesn't make our elections any more secure or fair. Eight years of continuous ballot qualification is a meaningful threshold. This bill says: if you've met the standard consistently, you shouldn't have to keep proving it from scratch. It's a fairness issue, and it's also just good government.
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'm submitting testimony in support of HB1716 HD1.
It doesn't make sense to require political parties to repeatedly petition for ballot access when they've already demonstrated eight or more consecutive years of voter support and compliance with election law. That's a redundant process that costs everyone time and money without making our elections any fairer or more secure.
{Insert additional comments here}
HB1716 HD1 creates a continuous qualification pathway for parties that have earned it, while still holding them accountable to all other election laws and requiring them to keep fielding candidates. That's a reasonable, fair standard.
I urge the committee to pass HB1716 HD1.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Order of succession for an Interim Chief Election Officer
Hearing in JHA on Tuesday March 17th, at 2:00 pm; Conference Room 325
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2143 SD1 establishes an order of succession for an interim Chief Election Officer if that position becomes vacant. Rather than leaving a leadership gap while the Elections Commission searches for a permanent replacement, the bill designates internal Office of Elections staff to serve temporarily in a defined order: Supervisor of Election Support Services, General Counsel, Supervisor of Counting Center Operations, Supervisor of Ballot Operations, and Supervisor of Voter Services. The Elections Commission retains full authority to appoint a permanent Chief Election Officer.
Why SB2143 SD1 Matters
Right now, if the Chief Election Officer position suddenly becomes vacant, there is no clear plan for who steps in. That gap creates real administrative risk, especially given how much rides on uninterrupted election operations. It also creates an opening for bad-faith actors to sow doubt about the legitimacy of election administration during a transition. SB2143 SD1 closes that gap by keeping interim authority with experienced, knowledgeable staff who already work inside the agency, while the Commission finds a permanent appointment.
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'm submitting testimony in support of SB2143 SD1.
Elections run on strict timelines and legal obligations. If the Chief Election Officer position suddenly becomes vacant, there needs to be a clear plan for who is in charge while a permanent replacement is found. Right now, that plan doesn't exist.
{Insert additional comments here}
SB2143 SD1 fixes that by establishing a practical succession order within the Office of Elections, people who already know the work, without changing how the Elections Commission makes its permanent appointment. That's just good governance.
Please pass SB2143 SD1.
Mahalo,
Your Name, Town
Executive Branch Fundraising Ban
Hearing in JHA on Tuesday March 17th, at 2:00 pm; Conference Room 325
What Does This Bill Do?
SB2247 SD1 prohibits executive branch employees who are nominated or appointed by the Governor to compensated, Senate-confirmed positions from organizing, hosting, attending, or soliciting contributions for political fundraisers while they hold those roles. It does not restrict their right to vote, make personal political contributions, or express political views as private citizens. This restriction applies only for as long as they serve in a covered position.
Why SB2247 SD1 Matters
The officials covered by this bill have real authority over state contracts and procurement decisions. When those same officials are out at political fundraisers, it sends a signal, whether intentional or not, that political access and government contracts are connected. That perception alone does serious damage to public trust. SB2247 SD1 is a narrow, targeted fix that draws a clear line without restricting anyone's fundamental rights. It applies to a small group of clearly defined officials, requires no new infrastructure to implement, and goes directly at one of the most visible sources of pay-to-play concerns in state government.
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'm submitting testimony in support of SB2247 SD1.
When the officials who control state contracts are also attending and hosting political fundraisers, it creates the impression that political donations and government contracts are connected. Even if nothing improper is happening, that appearance does real damage to public trust.
{Insert additional comments here}
SB2247 SD1 is a narrow, practical fix. It prohibits a small, clearly defined group of high-level appointed officials from engaging in political fundraising while they hold their positions, without touching their rights to vote, donate personally, or speak their minds as citizens.
Please pass SB2247 SD1.
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!
