Campaign Spending Commission

ELECTRONIC FILING FOR CANDIDATES

All candidates must file their Organizational reports and Disclosure reports electronically on the web-based Candidate Filing System.  The reporting schedule for disclosure reports is available at www.hawaii.gov/campaign, by clicking on the box (that says “Reporting Schedules”) in the extreme right hand column of the homepage.

ELECTRONIC FILING FOR NC’S COMING SOON

The new web-based Noncandidate Committee Filing System should be launched in May, 2008.  When the exact date is determined, we will provide information on our website homepage, and mail the information to all registered committees.  The first report required to be filed electronically is due on September 10, 2008, and will cover the period from January 1, 2008 to September 5, 2008.

CONTRIBUTION AND EXPENDITURE REMINDERS

a. When a committee rents space for its headquarters, the rental must be at a commercially reasonable rate.  If the rate the committee pays for the headquarters is lower than a commercially reasonable rate, the difference is a contribution by the landlord/owner of the property.  Make sure the landlord/owner of the property is aware of contribution limits to candidates and to noncandidate committees.

b. If you do not have the employer and occupation of the person who contributes $1,000 or more, you must return the contribution to the contributor within 30 days of deposit.

c. You may not give scholarships directly to individuals from campaign funds.  You may donate campaign funds to an educational institution, up to the limit of your office in an election period, except for the period between the filing of nomination papers and the General election.

d. List the vendor that was paid, in addition to the candidate/volunteer that was reimbursed, e.g. Jane Kane reimbursement, Home Depot, Xerox paper $245.

IMPORTANT NOTICES

CSC Meetings
January 9, 2008
February 13, 2008
March 12, 2008
April 9, 2008
May 14, 2008
June 12, 2008

CSC Reports
Next report due for:
Candidates
Supplemental-January 31, 2008

Noncandidate Committee
Supplemental-January 31, 2008

REMINDER ABOUT NON-RESIDENT CONTRIBUTIONS

The limitation on non-resident contributions includes contributions from both individuals and businesses.  Make sure your total non-resident contributions do not exceed 20% of your total contributions for each reporting period.

TIMELY FILING OF CAMPAIGN SPENDING REPORTS

It is important for the public, and out of fairness to other candidates, that all disclosure reports be filed on or before the filing deadline.  The law authorizes a $50 per day fine for late reports following a newspaper notification.

CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION WEBSITE

Please visit our website at www.hawaii.gov/campaign for the most current information.  It has a list of announcements, a list of training classes, links to candidate contribution and expenditure reports, reporting schedules and much more.  It is important during an election year to frequently visit the site.

RANDOM AUDITS

The Commission may conduct random audits.  During these audits, we have focused on the following areas (though we may review other issues):

a.  $2,000, $4,000, $6,000 contribution limits – 11-204(a);

b.  Total loans not to exceed more than $10,000 from others (not to include immediate family or financial institutions in the ordinary course of business);

c.  Potential false name contributions;

d.  Proper documentation submitted for all loans;

e.  $2,000, $4,000, $6,000 donation limit to community organizations in an election cycle;

f.  Prohibited community donations between the filing of nomination papers and the general election;

g.  No personal expenses;

h.  Ordinary and necessary expenses related to the office;

i.  Disclosure of durable asset purchases on Schedule F for candidates; and,

j.  Proper disposition of durable assets.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM THE
CAMPAIGN SPENDING COMMISSION STAFF!

For questions, please call us at (808) 586-0285, or go to our website at www.hawaii.gov/campaign.