A state Constitutional Convention could cost between $2.3 million and $11.1 million, according to the final report of the Constitutional Convention Cost Task Force release yesterday.

Hawai'i voters will be asked to decide at the Nov. 4 general election whether to hold a Constitutional Convention.

The last Constitutional Convention in Hawai'i was held in 1978. It resulted in changes and additions to the state constitution that, among other things, require the governor to submit a balanced budget, adopted the Hawaiian language as an official state language, created the Office of Hawaiian Affairs and the Judicial Selection Commission, and established term limits for the governor and lieutenant governor.

"The bottom line is a ConCon is the people's convention," said Lt. Gov. James "Duke" Aiona. "I trust the people of our state will make the best decision for Hawai'i's future."

The question that will appear on the ballot is, "Shall there be a convention to propose a revision of or amendments to the Constitution?"

The task force, an 11-member, nonpartisan group of community, government and legislative officials, said the potential cost of holding a new Constitutional Convention would be between $2,329,656 and $11,114,045.

Several factors affect the overall cost of including: the process to elect constitutional delegates; the facility to house the convention; the number of delegates and length of convention; compensation for delegates, delegate staff and convention staff; the cost of equipment, supplies and other miscellaneous expenses; and the cost of a public information/voter education program.

There are several scenarios between the lowest and highest cost estimates.

If the public votes to approve a Constitutional Convention, the state Legislature will determine the appropriate time, place, number of public delegates and level of funding for a convention, among other considerations.