Campaign spending bill up for final vote

By Lynda Arakawa and Gordon Y.K. Pang
Advertiser Capitol Bureau

A bill that would have eased state wiretapping laws and another setting up a public financing campaign program for House candidates were among the measures that failed to meet a key internal deadline at the state Legislature, effectively killing them for this session.

Among the measures that advanced for a final vote was an omnibus campaign spending bill that prohibits campaign contributions from government contractors selected in a nonbid process for contracts greater than $25,000.

The measures had to be approved by Senate and House conference committees by midnight last night for final floor votes in both houses as the session heads to adjournment Thursday.

On the wiretap measure, law enforcement officials have stressed that current Hawai'i laws hamper efforts to conduct surveillance. But others said changing the law could compromise privacy rights.

Among other things, the measure would have eliminated the current requirement for an adversary court hearing on a request for a wiretap warrant, in which a court-appointed lawyer represents the public interest to oppose a warrant.

Also falling to meet the deadline was the so-called "clean elections" measure, Senate Bill 3104, which would have allowed as many as three candidates in each House race to receive state money to campaign if they agreed to abide by strict contribution and spending limits.

A conference committee did move out the campaign spending bill, Senate Bill 459. Along with the donation limits, the bill makes it a felony, instead of a misdemeanor, to falsify reports and contribute under a false name with an intent to circumvent the law. It also prohibits fund raising in buildings.

Reach Lynda Arakawa at larakawa@honoluluadvertiser.com. Reach Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com. Or reach both at 525-8070.