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Hawaii · 2025 Regular Session · Bill

SB 256: RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 256 is a bill introduced in the Hawaii Senate on January 14, 2025. According to its official title, it concerns: RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS. Primary sponsor: Ron Kouchi (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (January 21, 2025): Referred to JDC, WAM.

Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all state and county elective offices. Amends section 11-425, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), by increasing the maximum amount of public funds available for each election for candidates (1) for Mayor of the County of Kauai and the County of Maui by 125%; (2) for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from $1,500 to 10% of the expenditure limit established in section 11-423(d), HRS; and (3) for candidates for all other offices by 50%. Amends section 11-429(a), HRS, by increasing the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs from more than $1,500 in the aggregate to more than $5,000 in the aggregate. Provides a downward adjustment of the amounts of qualifying contributions for the Office of Prosecuting Attorney for the City and County of Honolulu, County of Hawaii, and County of Kauai and for the Office of County Council for the County of Maui. Provides for an unspecified appropriation to pay for the increase in the partial public financing program. Provides for an appropriation in the amount of $200,000 for the Commission to hire 2 additional staff members.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Ron KouchiPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate8

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Referred to JDC, WAM.
  2. Introduced and passed First Reading.
  3. Pending Introduction.

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source