REP GRC 020 09/18/2012 2010-2012

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GRC-20 Page 2 September 18, 2012 the same amount of money. He stated that expanding it to a statewide basis would be good in that it would give people choices, as more candidates will seek office. Mr:Yagong thanked Ms. Smart for bringing the resolution forward and agreed with the approach. The main purpose is to get the adequate funding first and then bring forward legislation to address the distribution of the funds. Mr. Onishi stated that more money is going out of the fund than is going into the fund and asked Ms..Smart if she had thought about how to get support from the Legislature for the extra money. He stated that right now the law states that money comes into the fund from people checking the box on their property tax bill, and unless there is a change in the law, that's where the money has to come from. He also testified to the State Legislature to distribute the funds equally between the districts. Mr. Blas stated he would agree with the resolution if there is money from the state and equal amounts given to each district. Mr. Yoshimoto reiterated that since this is the second cycle of the pilot program, this would be a good opportunity to let the Legislature know our thoughts on how to make the program better. He cited the even distribution of funds between all nine districts as well as addressing the first come first serve clause. Ms. Smart agreed to add language making distribution of funds equal to all districts and asked Ms. Yoshimoto to help with language to allow candidates equal opportunity to access the funds. Mr. Ikeda stated that he could support the resolution if those amendments are made. Chair Pilago explained that Act 244, implemented in 2010, is operative for the election cycle 2012 and 2014. It is specific to Hawai`i County Council. The resolution is asking that it be a statewide program, but Hawai`i County has a different districting system from the other counties. The Campaign Spending Commission should go through the last two cycles and then a review process, which should happen before resolving it for statewide elections and suggested requesting an interim review before the 2014 election. At the July 31, 2012 meeting,Ms. Smart moved to postpone Comm. 787/Res.No. 280-12 to the August 14, 2012 Governmental Relations Committee meeting. Due to technical difficulties at the August 14, 2012 meeting, all items were postponed to the September 5, 2012 Governmental Relations Committee meetings. At the September 5, 2012 meeting, Ms. Smart stated that Communication 787.5 was distributed to Council Members for review although not yet on the floor for discussion. Ms. Smart was contacted by Voter Owned Elections, who requested that the matter be postponed for further research on some of the points brought up by the council. Ms. Smart stated that there may be further amendments and suggested postponing the matter. Chair Pilago asked Ms. Smart if she intended to amend Resolution 280-12 with Communication 287.5. Ms. Smart reiterated that she did not intend to amend at this time. Chair Pilago suggested that the committee should not be discussing it unless a motion is made to amend.