SB 1543 Summary

• Establishes comprehensive public financing system for candidates to state and county offices beginning with the 2026 general election year, requiring candidates to obtain minimum $5 qualifying contributions from registered voters in their district to be eligible for public funds.

• Sets funding amounts varying by office and election phase (primary at 67% and general at 33%), ranging from $40,000 maximum for Hawaiian Affairs candidates to $2,500,000 maximum for gubernatorial candidates.

• Restricts certified candidates from accepting or spending any contributions except public funds from the Hawaii election campaign fund from certification through the general election campaign period, with penalties of three times the amount received for violations.

• Requires candidates to collect seed money (maximum $5,000 before filing declaration of intent) and qualify with specified minimum numbers of $5 contributions (e.g., 6,250 for governor, 200 for state representative).

• Appropriates unspecified amounts to the Hawaii election campaign fund for fiscal year 2023-2024 and matching amounts for fiscal year 2024-2025 for implementation, with the campaign spending commission required to submit progress and final reports to the legislature.