SB 51 Hawaii Senate · 2026 Regular Session

RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CANDIDATES TO ELECTED OFFICE.

Summary

Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaii, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

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 8, 2025 Last action Dec 8, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB51 → SB51_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Hawaii's public campaign financing program to delay its start date from 2026 to 2028, likely to allow for more preparation time. It also removes specific dollar amounts for the initial appropriation, leaving those figures blank for future legislative action. Additionally, the bill shifts from hiring temporary staff to hiring permanent positions for the program's administration.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains the same regarding the creation of a public funding system, but the applicability is delayed by two years to the 2028 general election cycle.

TIMELINE

The start date for the comprehensive public funding program was changed from the 2026 general election year to the 2028 general election year.

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 2025, to April 23, 2057 (likely a placeholder or error intended to reflect the new timeline).

FISCAL

Specific dollar amounts for the initial appropriation were removed and replaced with blank spaces, deferring the decision on funding levels.

REQUIREMENT

The staffing requirement was changed from hiring two temporary positions to hiring permanent positions, though the specific number of FTEs was left blank.

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 6, 2025

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 19

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 72) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 23; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Fevella, Inouye, Kim, Moriwaki, Richards. 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, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Lee, C., Wakai; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) DeCoite, Kim, Fevella ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 02-26-25 10:04AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 12, 2025

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 306) 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: 3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; 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 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 15, 2025

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.