The Senate money committee, Ways and Means, will hear several bills related to amending state election procedures and campaign fund laws. Some of the bills have provisions we might want to change, but the intent of these bills is to expand voter participation and to make elections more equitable.

SB412 SD1: Replaces the Hawaii election campaign fund with the general revenues of the State as the funding source for the operating expenses of the campaign spending commission. Appropriates general revenues to the commission for operating expenses. Submit testimony.

SB247 SD1: Requires recounts of election votes when the margin of victory is less than two hundred fifty votes or less than one per cent of the votes cast, whichever is less. Takes effect on 01/07/59. Submit testimony.

SB327 SD1: Authorizes the electronic transmission of databases containing driver's license and civil identification card information to election officials and the statewide voter registration system. Requires the Office of Elections to join the Electronic Registration Information Center and share information with counties to encourage voter participation and ensure integrity of voter registration rolls. Appropriates funds. Takes effect on 01/07/2059 (we feel this is way too far in the future). Submit testimony.

SB334 SD1: Enacts voting by mail uniformly across all counties for all elections commencing in 2020. Establishes a limited number of voter service centers that would remain open from the tenth business day preceding an election through the day of the election to receive personal delivery of mail-in ballots, accommodate voters with special needs, offer same day registration and voting, and provide other election services. Allows for additional places of deposit for personal delivery of mail-in ballots. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the election by mail program. Takes effect on 1/7/2059 (we feel this is way too far in the future). Submit testimony.

SB1066 SD1: Beginning with the primary election in 2018, requires the office of elections to implement election by mail in a county with a population of fewer than 100,000 and beginning with the 2020 primary election, implement election by mail in each of the other counties for all elections. Establishes an election by mail system, including requirements for ballots, replacement ballots, deficient return of ballots, electronic transmission of replacement ballots under certain circumstances, ballot counting, voter service centers, places of deposit, and election expenses and responsibilities. Establishes procedures for postponed elections. Makes conforming amendments to provide for an election by mail system. Allows voters in an election by mail system to request that their ballots be temporarily forwarded to another address in or outside of the State for a single election or a primary or special primary election and the election immediately following it. Appropriates funds for the implementation and administration of the elections by mail program. Requires the office of elections to submit annual reports to the legislature from 2018 to 2024 regarding implementing the elections by mail program. Takes effect on 1/7/2059 (we feel this is way too far in the future). Submit testimony.