HB 370 Summary

• Increases campaign expenditure limits for candidates participating in Hawaii's partial public financing program by adjusting per-voter multipliers: governor from $2.50 to $3.00, lieutenant governor from $1.40 to $1.68, mayor from $2.00 to $2.40, and other offices proportionally.

• Raises the maximum public funds available to candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, mayor, state senate, state representative, county council, prosecuting attorney, and Hawaiian affairs board members from 10-15% to 67% of the expenditure limit.

• Adjusts minimum qualifying contribution thresholds for several offices to encourage participation, including reducing prosecuting attorney requirements for Honolulu County from $30,000 to $25,000 and Hawaii County from $10,000 to $5,000.

• Increases matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions from $1 to $2 for each $1 of contributions exceeding the minimum threshold.

• Appropriates funds from general revenues to the Hawaii election campaign fund and for additional campaign spending commission staff positions for fiscal year 2025-2026.