SB2381 Summary

• Establishes a comprehensive voluntary public financing program for state and county candidates in Hawaii, effective with the 2028 general election year.

• Candidates must collect minimum qualifying $5 contributions from registered voters in their district to become certified (e.g., 6,250 for governor, 250 for state senator, 338 for Honolulu city council).

• Certified candidates receive full public funding amounts ranging from $20,000-$2,500,000 depending on office, distributed 67% for primary and 33% for general elections, and must accept no private contributions or loans.

• Requires a minimum of $30 million in the Hawaii election campaign fund's comprehensive public funding subaccount to operate the program; program becomes inactive for that election year if insufficient.

• Campaign Spending Commission must submit progress reports to the legislature in 2025-2027 and a final report by 2028 with findings and recommendations for implementation.