House Committee on Finance (FIN) - chair: Oshiro, vice chair: Lee

Monday, March 31, 2008, 3:00 P.M. Conference Room 308

Testifier: Jean Aoki, Legislative Chair, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view SB2579, SD2

The League of Woman Voters supports SB 2579, SD2, HD1. We have. in previous testimony on this bill, praised the compliance enforcement measures included in this bill to encourage the filing of timely and complete reports by candidate and noncandidate committees. This not only helps the CSC staff devote their time to more productive work, it makes the reports available to the public sooner. We still feel that the original intent of establishing the Election Campaign Fund has been compromised by first, using it to fund the Campaign Spending Commission's operations, and now , turning over funds collected through fines and penalties to the general fund. We fully agree with the House Judiciary Committee report that the transfer of fines and penalties to the general fund will jeopardize the sustainability of the Election Campaign Fund. However, if the amendment to raise the check-off amount on state income tax returns that may be paid from an individual taxpayer's liability into the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund from $2 to $3, preferably $5, is retained in this bill, in the interest of having the reporting compliance enforcement measures written into law, we would support this bill. Thank you for the opportunity to testify on SB 2579 SD2, HD1.