Bill Text: HI HB153 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To Elections.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-01-23 - Referred to JUD, FIN, referral sheet 1 [HB153 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-HB153-Introduced.html
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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
H.B. NO. |
153 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to electionS.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:
SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the current absentee ballot voting system in this State includes complications that may undermine the voting system. Issues surrounding use of the post office lead to questions concerning the delivery, receipt, and counting of every submitted absentee ballot on election day.
The legislature further finds that many residents have difficulty finding time to vote and obtaining access to voting options. Rural community voters, elderly residents, individuals who rely on childcare services in order to find time to vote, and voters with other commitments are among those most affected. These issues are some of the potential areas affecting voter access and turnout in this State.
Therefore, the legislature finds that a study is needed to review the voting methods of other states, in particular those that subscribe to all-mail elections, to determine how the election process in this State may be improved.
SECTION 2. (a) The legislative reference bureau shall conduct a study of the election systems in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado to review the use in those states of elections conducted entirely by mail, including:
(1) The current practices and associated costs for administering elections by mail in those states; and
(2) An assessment of whether these states provide for early walk-in voting and election day voting in addition to the vote-by-mail option.
(b) In addition, the study shall determine the current practices and associated costs to administer the following ways for people to vote in Hawaii:
(1) Uniformed military and overseas voting under chapter 15D, Hawaii Revised Statutes;
(2) Mail-in ballots other than for the voting method described under paragraph (1);
(3) Early walk-in voting; and
(4) Election day voting.
(c) The study shall include a determination of the current practices and associated costs for providing election information, such as candidate statements, constitutional amendments, and other matters to be voted on, to the general public in Oregon, Washington, and Colorado. The study shall also include a determination of the projected costs associated with implementing these information distribution practices in Hawaii.
(d) The legislative reference bureau shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than December 1, 2017.
SECTION 3. The office of elections shall provide data and other information as may be requested by the legislative reference bureau for the completion of the study.
SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 for the purposes of this Act.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the legislative reference bureau for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. The legislative reference bureau may contract the services of a consultant with the funds appropriated in section 4 of this Act. The contracting of services under this Act shall be exempt from chapter 103D, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
SECTION 6. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Election Laws; LRB Study; Appropriation
Description:
Requires LRB to conduct a study on current practices and costs to administer all-mail elections and disseminate election information in other states in comparison with the election process in Hawaii. Makes an appropriation.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
