The Public Gets One Last Say on Pay-to-Play
The Public Gets One Last Say on Pay-to-Play
Pay-to-Play is on the agenda — and this is our last opportunity to ensure the legislature takes meaningful action.
The Senate is hearing a strong version. The House is advancing a weak one.
We need your help to ensure a strong bill makes it to conference, otherwise the outcome is predictable: the loopholes stay, and real reform dies behind closed doors.
The bill, now moving through the House, SB2530, was gutted. It shields state lawmakers, excludes county contractors and officials, and preserves the same system the public is demanding we fix.
Because this is how it works: contractors don’t wait until contracts are signed. They invest early, in legislators with decision-making power over funding, and county officials who have jurisdiction over zoning, permits, and approvals. Public records show donations spike before major decisions are made.
Some of the largest public contractors are also the most consistent political donors. That’s not a coincidence. That’s the problem with a system that allows pay-to-play influence.
And right now, the current version of SB2530 would largely protect that system. If we don’t speak up now, we are locking in the very pay-to-play culture we say we want to end.
Submit testimony in opposition to SB2530 unless it is amended to apply to all branches of government, including counties.
Close the loophole. Ask lawmakers to send a strong bill to conference.
In solidarity,
Aria Juliet Castillo
Good Government Priority (see below for talking points and sample testimony)
Testimony due Monday, April 6, at 2 PM
Oppose unless Amended SB2530: Contractor Loophole Ban
Other Good Government Bills to Support
Testimony due Sunday, April 5, at 10:30 AM
Support HB1519: Contractor Loophole Ban
Support HB2050: Improving Partial Public Financing for Elections
Testimony due Monday, April 6, at 10:30 AM
Support HB1520: Extending Statute of Limitations for Campaign Spending Violation
Contractor Loophole Ban
Hearing in FIN on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM | Conference Room 308
What SB2530 Does
SB2530 is meant to close Hawaiʻi’s pay-to-play loophole. The bill would prohibit government contractors and those closely tied to them from making political contributions while seeking or holding contracts — separating public decisions from private money.But the House amended it to weaken it, applying it only to the same branch of government that executes the contract, and to cut out the counties entirely. Therefore, the legislature and counties are no longer included.
Requested Amendments
SB2530 must be amended to apply the contribution ban to all contractors, including county contractors and grantees, and to cover all branches of government, not just the same branch tied to a contract. Without these fixes, the bill leaves major loopholes that allow pay-to-play influence to simply shift, not stop.
Sample Testimony
Aloha Chair Todd, Vice Chair Takenouchi, and Members of the Committee,
I am in testimony in opposition to SB2530 unless it is amended to fully close Hawaiʻi’s pay-to-play loopholes.
While the intent of this bill is good, the current version leaves critical gaps. It does not apply the contribution ban across all branches of government and fails to fully include county contractors and grantees, despite the central role counties play in zoning, permitting, and project approvals.
Insert Additional Comments Here
To be effective, SB2530 must apply to all contractors, including county contractors and grantees, and prohibit contributions across all branches and levels of government.
Without these amendments, the bill is preserving the very system it is intended to fix.
Thank you for your consideration.
Your Name, Town
