Protecting Electoral Access While Regulating Campaign Finance: An Analysis of HB2053

Protecting Electoral Access While Regulating Campaign Finance: An Analysis of HB2053

Janel Fujinaka

Makiki Neighborhood Board At-Large Member

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi

1 Feb 2026

Campaign finance regulation in Hawaiʻi is governed primarily by HRS Chapter 11, which establishes contribution limits, reporting requirements, and prohibitions designed to ensure transparency and accountability in elections. For example, current law imposes aggregate limits on contributions to candidates based on office type and election cycle (HRS §11-204) and requires timely reporting and disclosure of campaign funds (HRS §§11-196, 11-213).

In addition, Hawaiʻi law already restricts certain contributions during legislative sessions. Specifically, lobbyists are prohibited from making or promising contributions to candidates or elected officials during legislative sessions and during designated time periods before and after sessions (HRS §11-365). These provisions reflect an existing policy framework intended to limit undue influence during active lawmaking periods.

HB2053 proposes additional restrictions beyond this existing structure, raising questions about its practical impact on candidate participation and electoral competitiveness.

Hawaiʻi’s campaign finance system includes multiple safeguards regulating both the flow and timing of contributions.

Under HRS §11-204, individual and entity contribution limits are established to prevent excessive financial influence in elections, with caps varying by office type and election cycle. These limits apply uniformly to candidates and committees and are enforced through reporting and compliance mechanisms.

HRS §11-365 further prohibits lobbyist contributions during legislative sessions, including recess periods and specified timeframes before and after sessions. This restriction is designed to reduce the potential for real-time influence on legislative decision-making.

Together, these provisions demonstrate that Hawaiʻi already comprehensively regulates both contribution amounts and timing under Chapter 11.

HB2053 introduces additional restrictions on campaign contributions and fundraising activities during legislative sessions. While intended to enhance integrity, its provisions expand upon an already highly regulated environment.

From a policy perspective, candidates currently operate under:

• Contribution caps (HRS §11-204)

• Mandatory disclosure and reporting requirements (HRS §§11-196, 11-213)

• Session-based contribution restrictions for lobbyists (HRS §11-365)

HB2053 would layer additional constraints onto this existing framework.

Campaigns rely on legally compliant fundraising to support voter outreach, communication, staffing, and compliance activities. These functions are required for participation in the electoral process and are recognized within Hawaiʻi’s campaign finance system as legitimate campaign expenditures (HRS §11-302 defines campaign funds and expenditures) .

A key policy consideration is how additional timing restrictions may affect candidates differently. Incumbents generally benefit from:

• Higher name recognition

• Established donor networks

• Ongoing visibility within their districts

In contrast, non-incumbent and grassroots candidates typically rely more heavily on continuous fundraising throughout the election cycle. Restrictions on fundraising periods may therefore have differential impacts on campaign development capacity.

The cumulative structure of Hawaiʻi’s campaign finance laws already establishes strict contribution limits and transparency requirements. The addition of further restrictions may have the unintended effect of increasing barriers to entry for candidates without established financial networks.

From a regulatory standpoint, policy evaluation should consider whether new restrictions:

• Add measurable improvements to transparency beyond existing HRS provisions

• Affect candidate participation rates or campaign viability

• Create disproportionate impacts on first-time or grassroots candidates

Hawaiʻi already maintains one of the more comprehensive campaign finance regulatory frameworks in the United States under HRS Chapter 11, including contribution limits (HRS §11-204), disclosure requirements (HRS §§11-196, 11-213), and session-based restrictions on lobbyist contributions (HRS §11-365) .

While HB2053 is intended to strengthen election integrity, its proposed additional restrictions should be evaluated in the context of existing statutory safeguards. Careful consideration is necessary to ensure that campaign finance reforms do not inadvertently reduce electoral competitiveness or limit access for new and grassroots candidates.

Read my submitted testimony below: