Bills of interest for Tuesday, January 26th

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION, BUSINESS & MILITARY AFFAIRS
8:30 A.M. – ROOM 312

HB2185 RELATING TO ELECTIONS
Moves primary election date to an earlier time. Makes various amendments to absentee ballot laws to comply with federal law. (Marumoto)


COMMITTEE ON LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT
9:00 A.M. – ROOM 309

HB2169 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY (UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE)

Sets, for calendar year 2010, the employer contribution rate at schedule D and the wage base at 90% of the average annual wage. Sets, for calendar year 2011, the employer contribution rate at schedule G. Retains the maximum weekly benefit rate beginning 01/01/2011 at 75% of the average weekly wage. Authorizes special assessments upon employers to pay the interest costs on loans received from the U.S. Secretary of Labor. (Rhoads)

HB2207 RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY (UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE)
Applies contribution rates schedules E and F to calendar years 2010 and 2011, respectively, notwithstanding the ratio of the current reserve fund to the adequate reserve fund. Requires assessments upon employers to avoid federal penalties on outstanding loan balances on loans received from the U.S. Secretary of Labor when the balance in the unemployment compensation fund is insufficient to pay expected benefit claims. Permanently retains the adequate reserve fund at one times the product of the benefit cost rate multiplied by the total remuneration paid. Keeps the maximum weekly benefit amount at 75% of the average weekly wage, but reduces the maximum weekly benefit amount over the potential twenty-six week period of benefit eligibility. (Yamashita)


COMMITTEE ON HEALTH
9:00 A.M. – ROOM 329

HB2082 RELATING TO BOTTLED WATER
Requires all bottled water to be labeled with the date of bottling. (Yamane)

HB2081 RELATING TO PREMATURE INFANT HEALTH CARE
Requires the Department of Health to develop a plan to improve hospital discharge and follow-up care procedures for premature infants born earlier than 37 weeks gestational age to ensure standardized and coordinated processes are followed as premature infants leave the hospital. (Yamane)


COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION/COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
2:00 P.M. – ROOM 309

HB2051 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Allows the University of Hawaii board of regents to assess fees for campus parking at an open meeting subject to chapter 92, Hawaii Revised Statutes, but exempt from rule-making public notice, public hearing, and gubernatorial approval requirements of chapter 91, Hawaii Revised Statutes. (Chang)

COMMITTEE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
2:15 P.M. – ROOM 309

HB2054 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Gives the University of Hawaii fiscal autonomy from the comptroller beyond June 30, 2011. Removes the time limit on the authority of the University of Hawaii to install a different accounting system. Extends the comptroller's authority to request the University of Hawaii to provide information for the preparation of income and expenditure statements. Extends the University of Hawaii's authority to submit proposed new forms or changes to forms for only uniform business and accounting forms for review and approval. Extends the University of Hawaii's chief financial officer's authority to approve assignment of moneys to assignees. Extends beyond June 30, 2011 the requirement for the University of Hawaii to report to the comptroller transactions involving moneys held outside of the state treasury by the University of Hawaii. (Chang)


HB2055 RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Exempts the University of Hawaii from Hawaii public procurement code requirements. (Chang)

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
2:30 P.M. – ROOM 325

HB2004 RELATING TO CAMPAIGN FINANCING
Amends law relating to ballot issue committees. Defines automated phone call and requires certain information to be stated at the beginning of such phone calls. Amends the definition of advertisement. Repeals the campaign spending commission's authority to adopt a code of fair campaign practices as part of its rules. Requires advertising notices and disclaimers to be included on every web page that contains an advertisement. (Say BR)

HB2249 RELATING TO ELECTIONS
Provides that it is unlawful for persons exempt from competitive solicitation for State or county contracts to make contributions to candidate committees, noncandidate committees, or candidates or to knowingly solicit contributions from any person for any purpose. Permits the establishment or administration of, or solicitation of contributions to, any noncandidate committee. (Karamatsu)