SB 345 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING.

Summary

Increases the amount of partial public campaign financing available for all elective offices. Adjusts the minimum amount of qualifying contributions certain candidates must receive to participate in the program. Increases the matching fund payments for excess qualifying contributions. Appropriates funds for the program and staff. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Issues: ✓ Budget & Taxes

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB345_HD1 → SB345_SD1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill significantly expands Hawaii's partial public financing program by increasing the maximum matching funds available to candidates, raising the spending caps candidates can incur, and doubling the matching rate for contributions above the minimum threshold. These changes aim to strengthen the program's ability to reduce the influence of large private donors and ensure adequate funding for future elections.

Scope change

The bill broadens the scope by increasing the maximum expenditure limit for candidates from 100% to 120% of the previous cap, allowing candidates to spend more while still receiving public matching funds.

FISCAL

The maximum amount of matching public funds available to candidates was increased to 67% of the expenditure limit, up from the previous 10% for statewide offices and 15% for other offices.

The matching fund ratio for contributions exceeding the minimum qualifying amount was doubled from $1 for every $1 raised to $2 for every $1 raised.

Appropriations were updated to cover fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027, removing the specific provision for hiring additional staff positions.

REQUIREMENT

The maximum allowable campaign expenditures for candidates participating in the program were increased by 20%.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 3000, to April 23, 2057.

Floor votes

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 18, 2025

Committee

Reported from JHA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 1330) as amended in HD 1, recommending passage on Second Reading and referral to FIN.

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Lower · Passed

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 9 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Poepoe, Belatti, Hashem, Kahaloa, Perruso, Takayama, Todd; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Shimizu; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Cochran.

lower

Mar 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 140) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 2 (Senator(s) Awa, DeCorte). Excused, 0 (none). Transmitted to House.

upper

Feb 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 13 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Moriwaki, Aquino, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 20, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:03AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report adopted; Passed Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referred to WAM.

upper

Feb 6, 2025

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 72) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee on JDC reconsidered its previous decision.

upper

Feb 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.

upper

Jan 29, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-05-25 9:15AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 21, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 14, 2025

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

4 primary · 0 co-sponsors