HI SB51

Establishes a voluntary comprehensive public financing program for candidates seeking state and county offices in Hawaii, beginning with the 2028 general election year

Requires candidates to collect qualifying $5 contributions from registered voters in their district (ranging from 50 for Hawaii County Council to 6,250 for Governor) to become certified for public funding

Provides specific public funding amounts by office, such as $2,500,000 maximum for Governor, $100,000 for State Senator, $50,000 for State Representative, and varying amounts for county positions, distributed 67% for primary and 33% for general elections

Prohibits certified candidates from accepting any private contributions after certification and throughout their term if elected, with violations resulting in fines equal to three times the public funding received

Requires a minimum of $30,000,000 in the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund's subaccount by September 1 of odd-numbered years for the program to operate in the following election year