SB 2313 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, to begin with the 2028 general election year. Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 3/22/2075. (SD1)

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Mar 2026

Senate Passage

Mar 2026

House Passage

Governor

Introduced Jan 15, 2026 Last action Mar 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

SB2313 → SB2313_SD1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was converted from a Senate bill to a Senate Draft 1 version, primarily updating metadata, formatting, and the effective date. The most significant substantive change is the rewording of the program title from 'public financing' to 'public funding' and the removal of specific appropriation dollar amounts, replacing them with blank fields for future legislative action. Additionally, the effective date was moved from July 1, 2026, to March 22, 2075, with specific sections taking effect in November 2075.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on public election funding, but the text now uses 'public funding' instead of 'public financing' and removes specific budget figures, leaving them blank for the legislature to fill in.

TECHNICAL

The bill title and authorship were updated from 'SB2313' by Raymond Nichols to 'SB2313 SD1' by Blake Anderson, reflecting a status change in the legislative process.

FISCAL

Specific appropriation amounts for fiscal year 2026-2027 were removed and replaced with blank spaces, indicating the bill is now a draft awaiting specific budget figures.

TIMELINE

The effective date of the Act was changed from July 1, 2026, to March 22, 2075, with sections 2 and 3 specifically set to take effect on November 4, 2075.

DEFINITION

The program name was changed from 'comprehensive public financing program' to 'comprehensive public funding program' throughout the text.

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 10, 2026

Committee

Referred to JHA, FIN, referral sheet 16

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Introduced

Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 46) in amended form (SD 1).

lower

Mar 6, 2026

Upper · Passed

Report Adopted; Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 24; Aye(s) with reservations: none. Noes, 0 (none). Excused, 1 (Senator(s) Ihara). Transmitted to House.

upper

Mar 2, 2026

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, DeCoite, Elefante, Hashimoto, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, C., Richards, Wakai, Fevella; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 0 Excused: none.

upper

Feb 27, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee on WAM has rescheduled its decision making to 03-02-26 10:02AM; CR 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 23, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on WAM will hold a public decision making on 03-02-26 10:31AM; Conference Room 211 & Videoconference.

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Upper · Passed

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

upper

Feb 19, 2026

Committee

Reported from JDC (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2441) with recommendation of passage on Second Reading, as amended (SD 1) and referral to WAM.

upper

Feb 12, 2026

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, Awa; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Chang, San Buenaventura.

upper

Feb 2, 2026

Upper · Passed

The committee(s) on JDC has scheduled a public hearing on 02-06-26 9:00AM; Conference Room 016 & Videoconference.

upper

Jan 26, 2026

Committee

Referred to JDC, WAM.

upper

Jan 21, 2026

Introduced

Introduced and passed First Reading.

upper

Jan 15, 2026

Introduced

Pending Introduction.

upper

6 primary · 3 co-sponsors