Hawai‘i campaign finance reform bills are struggling to advance

This week marks Sunshine Week, a time to focus on government transparency and accountability. It is a nonpartisan effort involving various groups and celebrates the importance of public records. The week also coincides with President James Madison's birthday, the author of the U.S. Constitution. Recent reports show that outside spending during the 2024 federal elections reached a record $4.3 billion. More than half of this money came from groups that do not fully disclose their funding sources. In response, various states are considering campaign finance reforms, but many proposals are struggling to advance. In Hawaiʻi, legislators have introduced 32 bills related to campaign finance. However, many of these proposals are being set aside. Only seven bills remain in play as the session approaches its end. These include measures to improve public financing and restrict donations from state contractors. Another important issue is the budget for the Campaign Spending Commission. A proposal to increase its funding by $200,000 could help the commission hire new staff for the first time in over five decades. This comes as the commission struggles with a growing workload, overseeing numerous candidate and political action committees. However, many bills are facing challenges due to budget constraints. Some campaign funding proposals have already been tabled due to fears over funding issues. For instance, a measure to provide public financing for local candidates was recently dropped, citing financial uncertainties. Additionally, legislators are hesitant to pass tax exemptions for food and nonprescription drugs because of potential budget impacts. Concerns over the fiscal situation continue to affect many proposed measures, with more bills likely to be shelved as the session progresses. While the political landscape is uncertain, education remains a priority for Hawaiʻi's lawmakers. This week, the legislature celebrated teachers and education, showcasing student projects, including those preparing for a robotics competition.