HI SR164

Urges Hawaii's Campaign Spending Commission to conduct automatic audits of candidate committees that spend more than $500,000 during any election period and to subsidize costs for committees seeking independent audits.

Notes the Commission has not audited any campaign account since 2018, despite the Legislature enacting 31 measures amending campaign finance laws during that period.

Calls for adoption of formal rules defining what constitutes a "substantially defective or deficient report" under section 11-340, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Requests more frequent in-person training sessions held during non-business hours, noting that 90% of candidate committees are managed by volunteers who cannot attend daytime sessions.

Directs certified copies be transmitted to the Campaign Finance Commission Chair and Executive Director, Elections Commission Chairperson, and Chief Election Officer.