S.B. 1543 - Comprehensive Public Financing for Candidates

• Establishes a comprehensive public funding program for all candidates seeking state and county offices in Hawaii, beginning with the 2026 general election, allowing candidates to receive full campaign funding if they collect minimum qualifying contributions ($5 each from district voters) and agree to accept only public funds.

• Sets minimum qualifying contribution thresholds by office (6,250 for governor, 250 for state senator, 125 for state representative, varying amounts for county positions) and allocates specific amounts of public funding for primary and general elections (up to $2.5 million for governor, down to $20,000-$30,000 for county council).

• Restricts certified candidates from accepting any private contributions or loans from filing declaration of intent through end of general election, with penalties of three times public funds received for violations and three times excess expenditures for spending over allocated amounts.

• Requires deposit of qualifying contributions, seed money (limited to $5,000 before filing declaration), and unspent public funds into the Hawaii election campaign fund; establishes reporting requirements and auditing by the campaign spending commission.

• Appropriates funds to the Hawaii election campaign fund and campaign spending commission for implementation, requires progress report by 2026 and final report by 2028, and conditions program operation on maintaining minimum $30 million balance in the fund by September 1 of each odd-numbered year.