THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	40
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

requesting the campaign spending commission to study and make recommendations regarding a $250 cap on campaign contributions and on establishing a process for the refunding of campaign contributions.

 

 

     WHEREAS, members of the public have expressed concern over large contributions being made to political campaigns in Hawaii by individuals and organizations; and

 

     WHEREAS, the basic pillar of democracy is that all individuals should be treated equally; and

 

     WHEREAS, there is, at least an appearance of unfairness where an individual or organization is able to contribute a larger sum of money to a political campaign than another individual or organization; and

 

     WHEREAS, members of the public have recommended that a $250 cap on donations per contributor per election would create a level playing field for state government elections; and

 

     WHEREAS, members of the public have further expressed dissatisfaction over the situation where they make a political contribution based on assurances made by a candidate, and that candidate ultimately takes an opposing position; and

 

     WHEREAS, members of the public have expressed the desire for a process of refunding campaign contributions; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, the House of Representatives concurring, the Campaign Spending Commission is requested to study other jurisdictions with regard to placing a cap of $250 on campaign contributions per contributor per election; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Campaign Spending Commission is requested to study other jurisdictions with regard to a process for refunding campaign contributions; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Campaign Spending Commission is requested to report its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the regular session of 2016; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chair of the Campaign Spending Commission and Comptroller.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Campaign Spending Commission; Cap on Contributions; Refund of Contributions.