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Bill

SB 118

RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Stanley Chang and 1 co-sponsor

Hawaii SB 118 restructures the Campaign Spending Commission's authority and operations to enhance campaign finance oversight, though it stalled before final passage.

Carried over to 2026 Regular Session.
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Bill Summary · SB 118

Legislative bill overview

SB 118 restructures Hawaii's campaign spending oversight by modifying the powers, composition, or operations of the Campaign Spending Commission. The bill passed its second reading with amendments in February 2025 but was carried over to the 2026 session, indicating it did not advance to final passage in the current legislative cycle.

Why is this important

Campaign finance oversight directly affects the integrity of Hawaii's electoral process and public confidence in government. Changes to the Commission's structure or authority could influence how political contributions are disclosed, tracked, and regulated—ultimately affecting transparency in political spending and the potential influence of money in elections.

Potential points of contention

  • Commission authority and independence: Disputes over whether the Commission has sufficient power and budget to effectively enforce campaign finance laws, or concerns that expanded powers could infringe on political speech rights
  • Transparency vs. privacy balance: Debates about what campaign spending information should be publicly disclosed versus what donor information deserves protection
  • Implementation and compliance costs: Questions about whether proposed changes create burdensome reporting requirements for candidates and political committees, potentially discouraging participation

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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