House Committee on Judiciary (JUD) - chair: Karl Rhoads, vice chair: Sharon E. Har

Thursday, January 31, 2013, 2:05 P..M.. Conference Room 325

Testifier: Wynnie Hee, LWV Legislative Committee Member

Click here to view HB201

Chair Rhoads, Vice-Chair Har, and Representatives Belattii, Brower, Cabanilla, Carroll, Ito, Kawakami, Lee, Tsuji, Wooley, McDermott, and Thielen: The League of Women Voters of Hawaii supports HB 201 which makes a number of reasonable requests to amend the State campaign finance law. The refinements requested by the Campaign Spending Commission will enable the commission to improve its valuable service to citizens seeking information as well as to the State. We are impressed with the campaign spending data now made accessible online by the commission. Their Election Reports 2012 even includes a list of candidates’ “Cost per Vote,” ranging from $133 to $0.00 per vote. I’m sure all of you have found that information interesting. The last item requested by the commission, to increase the allowable expenditures for publically financed candidates for prosecuting attorney (currently 20 cents per registered voter), is intended to make the amount more equitable with other county-wide office seekers. We hope you find these amendments noncontroversial, and we urge you to pass HB 201. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony.