Campaign Spending Commission

Campaign Spending Commission Meeting
Zoom Video Conference
February 11, 2026
10:00 a.m.

Commissioners Present
David Chee, Danton Wong (Left meeting at 12:33 p.m.), Barbara Polk, Caroline Belsom

Staff Present
Kristin E. Izumi-Nitao, Kristie Chang, Terence Lau, Anthony Diep

Deputy Attorney General
Candace Park (Left meeting at 12:23 p.m.)

Guest(s)
Charr Davenport, KITV, KITV4 Island News

Call to Order
Chair Chee called the meeting to order at 10:01 a.m.

Chair Chee went over the procedures for the remote meeting via Zoom and introduced the Commissioners, Commission staff, and the Deputy Attorney General who were present.  The Commissioners present stated that there was no one else with them.

Consideration and Approval of Minutes of Meeting on 1/7/26
Vice-Chair Wong moved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 1/7/26.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Polk.  Motion carried (3-0).  Commissioner Belsom was not in attendance as a Commissioner at the 1/7/26 meeting, and therefore, abstained from voting.

New Business
Welcome and Introduction of New Commissioner and Reappointment of Commissioner/Chair David Chee – Chair Chee welcomed Commissioner Caroline Peters Belsom and stated that she was appointed by Governor Green on 12/23/25 to fulfill the balance of Neal Herbert’s term to expire on 6/30/2027.  She took the oath of office as a Campaign Spending Commissioner on 1/27/26 which was followed by a 4-hour orientation provided by staff.  Chair Chee further stated that Commissioner Belsom is a retired attorney who resides in Wailuku, Maui.  Born and raised on Oahu, she is a graduate of the Kamehameha Schools, St. Olaf College in Minnesota (BS Math/Physics), Iowa State University (MS Physics) and the University of Connecticut School of Law (JD).  Since 1982 she has served as an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, a litigation partner at two local law firms, in-house counsel for Kapalua Land Company, and a solo practitioner in Lahaina and Wailuku.  Over the years Caroline has served on various non-profit boards and county commissions.  She currently engages in activities that preserve and perpetuate various aspects of her Hawaiian cultural heritage.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao congratulated Chair Chee for his reappointment by Governor Green on 12/23/25 to serve a second 4-year term with the Commission that will expire on 6/30/29.  Chair Chee also acknowledged former Commissioner Jon Itomura, who recently resigned from the Commission.

Old Business
Consideration, Discussion, Approval, and/or Update of Commission Legislation and Other Related Bills/Resolutions for the 2026 Legislative Session – Associate Director Chang noted that in the Commissioners’ meeting materials are track sheets that list the bills that staff is tracking.

Associate Director Chang provided the following updates on the Commission’s legislative package:

• HB2050/SB2528 – RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.
  This bill increases the amount of partial public financing available for all elected offices.

Associate Director Chang reported that HB2050 was passed with amendments to blank out the requested appropriation amount to the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund, and SB2528 was deferred.

• HB2051/SB2529 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
  This bill amends HRS §11-364 to provide that an excess contribution of more than $100 in cash, in the aggregate, from a single person during an election period to a candidate, candidate committee, or noncandidate committee shall escheat to the Hawaii election campaign fund if not returned to the contributor within 30 days.

Associate Director Chang reported that HB2051 was passed unamended and SB2529 was deferred.

• HB2052/SB2530 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
  This bill amends HRS §11-355 to expand the government contractor ban by including state and county grantees under Chapter 42F in the ban as well as the officers and their immediate family of the government contractor and government grantee.

Associate Director Chang reported that SB2530 was passed with amendments and HB2052 was deferred due to HB1519.

• HB2053/SB2531 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
  This bill amends HRS §11-357 to prohibit state and county elected officials from soliciting and accepting campaign contributions during any regular session or special session of the state legislature, including any extension of any regular session or special session and any legislative recess days, holidays, and weekends.

Associate Director Chang reported that HB2053 was passed with the amendment to exclude county elected officials and SB2531 has not been set for hearing.

• HB2054/SB2532 – RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION’S ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM.
  This bill amends various sections of the Hawaii campaign spending laws to enhance user experience by modernizing and streamlining the filing process by requiring designated campaign finance forms to be submitted electronically through the Campaign Spending Commission’s upgraded electronic filing system.

Associate Director Chang reported that HB2054 was passed with amendments making non-technical changes and SB2532 passed unamended.

• HB2055/SB2533 – RELATING TO THE CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION. This bill amends HRS §11-314 to adjust the salaries of the Commission’s executive director and associate director to align with similar government offices who have compliance and enforcement responsibilities.

Associate Director Chang reported that HB2055 passed with amendments making non-technical changes and SB2533 was passed with the amendment of tying the Commission staffs’ salaries to the State Ethics Commission’s salaries rather than the Department of Health.

Commissioner Polk suggested that perhaps the Commissioners can offer testimony in support of this bill rather than staff.  Executive Director expressed her appreciation for the Commission’s support and stated that if the Commission is willing to provide testimony, then it would be helpful if this bill is heard by the House Committee on Finance, and Senate Committee on Ways and Means.  Chair Chee asked that staff inform the Commission when this bill is up for hearing.

Next, Associate Director Chang provided the following updates on the House Bills that staff is tracking:

• HB1519 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
  Requires disclosure of the names of compensated officers, and their immediate family members, of state or county contractors and grantees with contracts or grants exceeding $250,000.  Prohibits the compensated officers of state or county contractors and state or county grantees, and their immediate family members, from making or soliciting certain campaign contributions for the duration of the contract or grant exceeding $250,000.

Associate Director Chang stated that the following elements of HB1519 are different from the Commission’s bills HB2052/SB2530:

• Applies to compensated officers only
• Defines “officer” as an officer on the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs business registration database
• Modifies the threshold for grants from $100,000 to $250,000
• Exempts ballot issue committees
• Changes the threshold of goods and services contract to say “contracts exceeding the small purchase threshold”
• Limits application to the branch of government that issued the contract
• Excludes county contracts

Having heard the differences, Chair Chee was concerned that the indication of support for this bill would create a misconception that the Commission supports legislation that is very different from that the Commission proposed.

Discussion ensued on HB1519 and the Commission asked that staff maintain preference for the position of the Commission’s bill and continue to express concern over the amendments mentioned above except for exempting ballot issue committees.

The Commission strongly opposed to limiting the contribution ban to the branch of government that issued the contract.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao asked the Commission on whether staff’s testimony should support this bill and indicate the Commission’s concerns or to submit testimony as comment only.  The Commission was in agreement to support with concerns as long as staff states its concerns at the hearings.

Chair Chee asked for an estimate of when the Commission will need to decide if it should oppose HB1519.  Associate Director Chang stated that at the Commission’s next meeting on 3/18/26, this bill would have crossed over and staff will be able to update the Commission on its content then.  She added that the bills that are moving forward will be in their final form by the second decking on 4/10/26, so staff will be able to share them with the Commission at its April meeting on 4/15/26.

• HB1520/HB2131/SB2447 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
  Provides that the period of limitations for criminal prosecutions under campaign finance laws commences upon discovery of the offense by the Campaign Spending Commission, rather than being limited to five years from the violation date or report filing date.

Associate Director Chang stated that staff’s recommendation is continuing to support this bill with comments on maintaining the misdemeanors and felonies limitation at five years.  The Commission did not have any concerns with the recommendation.

• HB1935/SB3015 – RELATING TO PERSONAL INFORMATION.
  Requires every government agency that maintains, uses, collects or processes the home address of a covered public servant or candidate, to ensure that their home address is not publicly accessible and to redact or remove home addresses from certain websites, databases, and printed documents or publications.  Authorizes an individual to request disclosure of the home address, under certain circumstances.  Allows a covered public servant or candidate to object to the disclosure of their home address

Associate Director Chang stated that staff’s recommendation is to state its strong concerns that it would undermine the purpose of transparency of campaign finance law.  The Commission shared similar concerns and agreed with the recommendation.

• HB2107/SB2247 – RELATING TO POLITICAL FUNDRAISING BY EXECUTIVE BRANCH EMPLOYEES.
  Prohibits any Executive Branch employee who is nominated or appointed by the Governor to a compensated position subject to confirmation by the Senate from engaging in certain campaign fundraising activities.

Associate Director Chang stated that these bills have not been set for hearing, but staff’s recommendation is to support this bill.  The Commission agreed with the recommendation.

• HB2184/SB2914 – RELATING TO LAWMAKER SAFETY.
  Prohibits the public disclosure of legislators’ personal contact information in a voter’s affidavit of registration, nomination papers, and electronic database for campaign committees.

Associate Director Chang stated that this is a similar bill to HB1935/SB3015 and that staff’s recommendation is also to state its strong concern that it would defeat the purpose of campaign finance transparency.  The Commission agreed with the recommendation.

• HB2228 – RELATING TO PARTIAL PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.
  Increases the matching fund payments to candidates in the partial public financing program for excess qualifying contributions.

Associate Director Chang stated that this bill has not been set for hearing yet, but staff would support and provide comments that the Commission prefers HB2050/SB2528 as it is a more comprehensive program.  The Commission agreed with the recommendation.

• HB2238 – RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS.
  Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in Hawaii, to begin with the 2028 general election year.

Associate Director Chang stated that this bill has not been set for hearing, but is nearly identical to SB2313, which had been heard, so she will report on it along with SB2313.

• HB2430/SB3214 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
  Exempts county elected officials, county candidates, and county candidate committees from the prohibition on receiving contributions from a lobbyist during a state legislative session.

Associate Director Chang stated that staff’s recommendation is to provide comments with concerns because the Commission regulates both state and county elected officials.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao added that as the law currently stands, only the State Ethics Commission and the Campaign Spending Commission enforce this law and the county ethics commissions have indicated that they will not enforce a state law.

Chair Chee raised the concern that money is liquid and therefore can flow from county candidates to state candidates and asked that staff maintain its position to comment with concern.

Next, Associate Director Chang provided the following updates on the Senate Bills that staff is tracking:

• SB2040 – PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII REGARDING THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.
  Proposes an amendment to Article I, Section 4, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to provide that the participation of non-natural persons in election activities and campaign finance activities may be regulated, restricted, or prohibited as provided by law.

Associate Director Chang reported that this bill has not been heard yet, but staff will support with comment if it has a hearing.

• SB2313 – RELATING TO PUBLIC FINANCING FOR CANDIDATES TO ELECTED OFFICE.
  Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State, to begin with the 2028 general election year.  Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to submit reports to the Legislature.  The Commission did not have any concern with the recommendation.

Associate Director Chang stated that staff’s recommendation is to support this bill but commented that if a comprehensive public financing bill were to pass, the Commission would be administering two programs at the same time because the partial public financing program is mandated by the State Constitution.

• SB2411 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
  Clarifies that for campaign committee reports, the date a candidate receives a check from a third-party website or the date the deposit is made by the third party is the reporting date for contributions aggregating more than $100 in an election period.  Clarifies that for contributions by lobbyists prohibited during a legislative session, the date of a violation is the date of the acceptance or the date where the agreement of acceptance of a contribution occurred and not the date of deposit.

Associate Director Chang stated that the Commission’s administrative rule says that the date monetary contribution is deposited is deemed to be the date that contribution is received for purposes of disclosing information and reports filed with the Commission.  This bill seeks to change that for third-party vendors and contributions by lobbyists prohibited during a legislative session.

Chair Chee suggested that the Commission should oppose this change because it introduces significant vagueness into the law.  Currently, the staff have a clear standard for determining when a contribution is made.  If that standard is shifted to when it is “accepted,” the term becomes ambiguous and could render the law unenforceable.  Unless a very precise definition of “accept” is established, it is better to keep the existing standard.

Discussion ensued on how accessible third-party vendors are in term of providing information on when contributions are received by them as well as the definition of “accept”.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao noted that this bill only affects the statute on contributions and expenditures by lobbyists prohibited during legislative sessions.

The Commission was in agreement to oppose this bill as it would create an exception for lobbyist contributions.

• SB2454 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS.
  Requires a candidate or any individual authorized to receive contributions on behalf of a candidate or noncandidate committee to deposit the monetary contribution or other campaign funds into a depository institution within seven days of its receipt. Requires any elected official, candidate, candidate, candidate committee, or other individual required to file an organizational report who receives a contribution from a lobbyist to deposit the contribution within seven days of its receipt.

Associate Director Chang stated that similar to SB2411, staff’s recommendation is to oppose this bill as it contradicts the Commission’s administrative rule relating to the date a monetary contribution is deposited is the date that it should be reported.  The Commission agreed with staff’s recommendation.

• SB2462 – RELATING TO STATE INCOME TAX LIABILITY.
  Increases designated income check-off amounts for the Hawaii Election Campaign Fund to $6 for taxpayers filing individual returns with $6 or more of state income tax liability and for spouses filing joint returns with $12 or more of state income tax liability.

Associate Director Chang reported that this bill was passed unamended.  Commissioner Polk recommended that staff should provide comments on matching the increase of the check-off amount to the rate of inflation.

• SB2794 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
  Requires the Campaign Spending Commission to send notices regarding unfiled, substantially defective, and substantially deficient reports by certified mail. Requires the Commission to specify in substantial defect and deficient report notices the nature of any substantial defect or deficiency.  Allows recipients of substantial defect and deficient report notices to correct their reports up to 10 business days after the receipt of the notices.  Defines the terms “substantially defective” and “substantially deficient”.

The Commission was in agreement to oppose this bill as it believes that the responsibility should be that of the committees to ensure that their reports are true and accurate prior to filing and that it would be very difficult for staff to make a decision of what is “substantially defective” and “substantially deficient” without rule making.

Vice-Chair Wong commented that he understands that mistakes can happen and is willing to consider other options that are more clearly defined but this is not the approach he agrees with.

• SB2982 – RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCE.
  Prohibits foreign entities and foreign-influenced business entities from making contributions, expenditures, electioneering communications, or donations for election purposes and requires certification that the entity was not a foreign corporation or foreign-influenced business entity when the contribution or expenditure was made.  Specifies that if the conditions that determine whether a business entity qualifies as a foreign influenced business entity are held unconstitutional by a final judgment, including all appeals, the Campaign Spending Commission is required to establish revised conditions that are constitutional.  Requires noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor required to be listed in an advertisement avowing that no funds were derived from foreign entities or foreign-influenced business entities.

Associate Director Chang reported that this bill was heard and staff provided testimony in support with comments, specifically deferring to the Attorney General’s Office with respect to narrowing the definition of foreign entities to withstand constitutional challenge as well as requesting more time if the bill were to pass to develop procedures and processes to comply.  The Commission did not have any concerns with staff’s testimony.

Associate Director Chang stated that staff are currently also monitoring a number of bills that, while not directly impacting Commission’s statutes, could have indirect implications.  For example, several bribery-related bills have emerged in response to the recent $35,000 bribery allegation.  She further stated that staff are observing these bills to determine whether any amendments might impact the Commission. If that occurs, staff will add them to the meeting agenda and prepare testimony accordingly.

Meeting entered recess at 12:33 p.m.

Meeting resumed session at 12:39 p.m.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao recognized Associate Director Chang for her dedication in managing the legislative session and delivering testimonies on behalf of the Commission, especially given the high volume of bills.

Report from Executive Director
Report on Compliance of Filing Timely Disclosure Reports – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that since the last Commission meeting in January, there was a Supplemental Report covering the period of 7/1/25 to 12/31/25 due on 2/2/26 for all 679 registered committees.  She reported the following:

• 431 candidate committees were required to file this report.
  • 391 filed on time (90%)
  • 40 failed to file
  • As of today, 15 have yet to file, but these committees have been referred to the Department of the Attorney General’s Civil Recoveries Division for collections in prior cases.
• 248 noncandidate committees were required to file this report.
  • 238 filed on time (95%)
  • 10 failed to file
  • As of today, all noncandidate committees have filed.

Executive Director Izumi-Nitao acknowledged Election Assistant Lau for his efforts in assisting committees to gain compliance.  Election Assistant Lau noted that he continued notifying committees of the report being due and remained in the office until 10 p.m. on the due date to assist with filing.  He added that he hopes that committees would contact staff earlier and inform them of any filing issues, rather than waiting for staff to initiate outreach.

Update on MapLight Contract – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that staff have been meeting with the vendor twice a week to discuss specifications for the new electronic filing system.  Also involved in this project is Jennifer Silva and her team from ETS.  She and her team will be coordinating our data migration with MapLight.  Executive Director Izumi-Nitao added that she will continue to update the Commission on this project at each meeting.

Update on CSC Staffing & New Commissioner – Executive Director Izumi-Nitao reported that Associate Director Chang made the transition from General Counsel to Associate Director on 1/16/26 and that a new General Counsel was hired and will start on 3/3/26.  She added that the position descriptions for the new Election Assistant and CSC Investigator are still pending approval, but staff did interview a potential candidate for the Election Assistant position.

There being no further business, Chair Chee stated that the Commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, 2026 and asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Commissioner Belsom moved to adjourn the meeting.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Polk. Motion carried (3-0).

Meeting Adjourned at 12:50 p.m.