Action Alert: Civic Education Needs A Hearing; Support Partial Public Funding
We are halfway through the 60 day legislative session of 2025.
8 of the 56 Good Government Bills we are tracking are still alive but we need your help to keep things moving forward. We have a Senate Judiciary hearing this Tuesday morning for bills regarding partial public funding and contractor contributions bans. Please submit testimony in support of HB370 and HB371. Sample testimony and suggested amendments are listed below.
Also, the Civics Education bill must be scheduled for a hearing this week to stay alive. Please contact the chair of the committee and ask them to schedule HB763. Contact information is included below.
Publicly Funded Elections Update
Campaign Spending Commission introduced HB370, making improvements to the partial public funding program. HB370 was heard and passed through House Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs and Finance committees. HB370 increased funding for the program, increased matching funds ratio and allocated appropriations to CSC for increased staff.
SB345, a bill introduced by Senator Rhoads, also made improvements on the partial public funding of the program, increasing funding and matching ratio, and also increased the expenditure limits. It passed through Senate Judiciary and Ways and Means.
Both bills have crossed over. SB345 was heard in the House Judiciary committee on Wednesday March 12. 28 pieces of written testimony submitted in support and all who testified in person highlighted the need for increasing the expenditure limits, making it a stronger bill than HB370.
Chair Tarnas decided that since the house already passed HB370, instead of making adjustments to SB345, such as added in appropriations for increased staff for the CSC, or aligning the funding amounts, he took out all of the SB345 language and inserted all of the HB370 language.
Rep. Bellati noted that one of the critical parts missing from HB370 was the increased expenditure limits. Tarnas said even though it was brought up in testimony, he would not include that in the committee report, but advocates who support increasing the expenditure limit could bring it up in the Finance Committee if it gets scheduled there.
SB51, the fully funded public elections bill, was deferred, as Chair Tarnas stated he only wanted to support one public funding bill option, and believed HB370 to be the best option.
Next Step: HB370 is being heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Please testify in support, and encourage the senate to amend the bill to increase the expenditure limit to match SB345, while keeping in the language for additional CSC staff.
The Senate Judiciary Committee will hear these bill on Tuesday March 18th at 9:45AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.
Please submit written testimony by Monday, March 17th at 9:45 AM and consider testifying orally, either in person or via Zoom.
Support HB370: Campaign Spending Partial Public Funding Increase
Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all state and county elective offices.
What Does This Bill Do?
It updates and expands Hawaiʻi’s Partial Public Financing Program for elections to help candidates who agree to the campaign spending limits receive a certain amount of public funding.
The maximum amount of public money a candidate can receive is increased.
For example, candidates for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (which serves the entire State) would no longer be capped at a flat $1,500 but instead qualify for up to 10% of a spending limit set by law.
The bill lowers the minimum requirements for some offices to encourage more candidates to participate by reducing the amount of money a candidate must raise before qualifying for matching funds for certain offices.
Why Is This Important?
Increasing the amount of public funding and providing higher matching rates means that more candidates, especially those without large financial backers, can afford to run for office.
With stronger public financing, elected officials can focus more on community concerns rather than on fundraising from large donors.
Lowering the financial barriers helps bring new voices, including grassroots candidates, into the political process.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in support of HB370, which will modernize and improve Hawaii’s partial public financing program for elections.
By increasing the funding limits and adjusting qualifying contribution requirements, this measure reflects the economic realities of today and encourages more candidates to participate in the program. This bill is a significant step toward reducing the influence of big money in our election process.
We ask that you please amend the bill to match the increased funding and expenditure limits that were included in SB 345. By doing this, we can pass a strong viable partial public funding program for Hawaii.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE HERE]
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Support HB371: Contactor Contribution Ban
Prohibits state or county grantees, officers and immediate family members of state or county contractors, and officers and immediate family members of state or county grantees from contributing to candidate or noncandidate committees for the duration of the contract.
What Does This Bill Do?
It restricts contributions from contractors and grantees, meaning companies or individuals that have contracts or receive grants from the state or county, as well as their officers and immediate family members during the duration of their contract or grant.
This prevents indirect contributions to political campaigns through promises or implied intentions related to contracts or grants.
If a political committee receives an unlawful contribution, it must return the money within 30 days. If they fail to do so, the funds will automatically go to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund.
Why Is This Important?
Preventing contractors and grantees from donating to political campaigns reduces the risk of undue influence or favoritism in government decisions and in the awarding of contracts and grants.
When the public sees that government contracts and grants are free from political influence, their trust in their elected officials and government increases.
Sample Testimony:
Aloha Chair Rhoads, Vice Chair Gabbard, and Members of the Committee,
My name is [NAME], and I am writing in STRONG support of HB371, which prevents state and county contractors, grantees, and their families from making political contributions while their contracts or grants are active.
Closing this loophole is important because it ensures public funds are used for their intended purposes, not to sway political campaigns or decisions.
[PROVIDE PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR ANY ADDITIONS HERE]
By removing a conflict of interest, this bill makes our elections more fair and transparent. It also builds trust by making sure contractors and grantees stay focused on their work without any perception of political strings attached.
Please support!
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name, Town
Action Alert: Ask for Civics Education Bill to be Scheduled
Please call or email Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Senator Michelle Kidani and respectfully request that she schedule HB763 for a hearing in EDU to create a Civics Education Trust Fund and expand civic education in Public Schools. Below is a simple script you can use for your calls, personalize as you see fit!
Call Senator Kidani Office: 808-586-7100
Email Senator Kidani Office: senkidani@capitol.hawaii.gov
Support HB763 - Civics Education in School
Establishes the civic education trust fund to support programs benefiting civic education of public school students
What does this bill do?
The bill establishes a Hawaii Civic Education Trust Fund to enhance and expand civic education programs in public schools.
The trust fund will be supported by state allocations and private contributions to sustain long-term investment in civic education.
Why is this important?
Civic education is essential for preparing students to participate in the public and political life of their communities
This bill aims to build a culture of civic involvement among Hawaii’s youth, leading to higher voter turnout and stronger community participation.
Call Script (personalize as you see fit):
Aloha, my name is (insert name) and I live in (insert neighborhood). I’m reaching out to request that Senator Kidani schedule HB763 for a hearing and support its passage. HB763 will establish a civic education trust fund to support programs benefiting civic education in public schools.
Mahalo for your consideration!
Sample Email (personalize as you see fit):
Aloha Senator Kidani,
I’m reaching out to request that you schedule HB763 for a hearing and support its passage. HB763 will establish a civic education trust fund to support programs benefiting civic education in public schools.
The trust fund will be supported by state allocations and private contributions to sustain long-term investment in civic education. This bill aims to build a culture of civic involvement among Hawaii’s youth, leading to higher voter turnout and stronger community participation.
Mahalo for your consideration!
Your Name
Your Town
Mahalo for taking action!
The HAPA Team
