HB2533 Summary

• Establishes a comprehensive public funding program for Hawaii House of Representatives candidates beginning with the 2016 election, funded through the Hawaii election campaign fund.

• Candidates may qualify for public funds by collecting at least 200 qualifying contributions of $5 each from registered voters in their district during the July-December period before an election year.

• Certified candidates must limit campaign funding to public funds (calculated based on average spending of state representatives in the previous election), supplemental contributions up to $50 per person, and seed money capped at $3,000 for campaign viability determination.

• Removes gubernatorial, lieutenant gubernatorial, and state senator candidates from the existing partial public financing program, keeping only mayor, county council, prosecuting attorney, and Hawaiian affairs office candidates eligible under the current system.

• Requires the commission to determine on July 1 of odd-numbered years whether the Hawaii election campaign fund contains a minimum of $3,500,000 to support the program; if insufficient funds exist, the program does not become effective.