HEALTH COMMITTEE TO HOLD INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON CORONAVIRUS

WHO:             Representative John M. Mizuno

Chair, House Committee on Health

WHAT:          Informational briefing on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus

WHEN:          Monday, February 3

                        1 p.m.

WHERE:       Hawaiʻi State Capitol

                        Conference Room 329

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –  Representative John M. Mizuno, Chair of the House Health Committee, will hold an informational briefing on the 2019 Coronavirus outbreak in China and the measures being taken by the State of Hawaiʻi at 1 p.m. Monday, February 3.

"There is an urgency to inform the public on the worldwide public health emergency of the coronavirus. The State of Hawaiʻi is working with the federal government and its county partners to inform residents and reduce the risk of the spread of the coronavirus. Enhanced screening and protective protocols, and coordinating a prudent health defense system between state and federal agencies will ensure the health and safety of our people," said Rep. Mizuno.

The informational briefing comes after the U.S. declared a public health emergency in response to the coronavirus outbreak in China and, the news that flights from China to the United States would be restricted to seven airports across the country, including Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu.

KUPUNA CAUCUS BILLS TO PROTECT, SUPPORT HAWAIʻI'S SENIORS

Lawmakers propose measures to fight crime, improve well-being of elderly population

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Measures to protect the safety of seniors and sustain the ability of frail elderly to age in their homes with support services are the top priorities of the House-Senate package of bills submitted this session by the Kupuna Caucus.

The Kupuna Caucus consists of 54 House and Senate members and a broad range of community organizations, government agencies and individuals concerned about the well-being of seniors in our communities.

"These measures are aimed at meeting the increased needs of our seniors, who this year comprise fully one-fifth of our state population. We're also concerned about a seeming increase in crimes against senior citizens, the most vulnerable members in our community," said Rep. Gregg Takayama (Pearl City, Waimalu, Pacific Palisades), House co-convener of the Kupuna Caucus.

“Our package, while continuing to support programs to keep our kupuna healthy and aging in their own homes, also aims at helping our most vulnerable – caring for those with dementia, supporting the Long-Term Care Ombudsman serving 15,000 elders in long term care facilities, and stiffening penalties for those who would attack or exploit our seniors,” said Senator Sharon Y. Moriwaki (Waikiki, Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, McCully, Mo‘ili‘ili), Senate co-convener of the Kupuna Caucus.

Kupuna Caucus measures:

HB 1874, SB 2334 - Increases penalties for violent and financial crimes against elderly. Standardizes definition of elderly as age 60.

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE PASSES TRAFFIC CAMERA BILL ON TO SECOND READING

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House Committee on Transportation today unanimously passed HB1676 to establish a pilot program to photograph and ticket drivers running red lights. The bill now moves on to second reading before the full House.

The committee also decided to add a House Draft 1 to the measure with technical and other amendments.

HB1676 establishes a three-year photo red light imaging detector system pilot program. The bill authorizes any impacted county to administer the photo red light imaging detector system pilot program. It also establishes a pilot program account as a special account within the general fund. The bill requires proceeds of fines to be expended in the county from which they were collected for operation of the photo red light imaging system program. The pilot program would sunset on June 20, 2023.

TOWN HALL MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVE JOY SAN BUENAVENTURA

WHO:             Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura, Chair, House Committee on Human Services and Homelessness

WHAT:          Town Hall meeting on telehealth and broadband connectivity in Puna.

WHEN:          Saturday, February 15

                        12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

                       

WHERE:       Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center

                        15-1570 Makuu Drive (between 16^th and 17^th Avenues)

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –Representative Joy San Buenaventura will hold a Town Hall meeting on telehealth and broadband connectivity in Puna at Hawaiian Paradise Park Activity Center from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday February 15.

"Hawaii Island is short 230 doctors. Telehealth is one way we can address the doctor shortage," said Rep. San Buenaventura.

The town hall will include several professionals to discuss telehealth and broadband connectivity. Experts from the Department of Health and the Pacific Basin Telehealth Resource Center will explain how broadband access can improve health care delivery in rural areas.

The Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT) will share information about the Hawaiʻi Broadband Initiative. Spectrum and Hawaiian Telcom will showcase their services and share future plans for connectivity in Puna.

Aloha and Thank You Mr. Funaki

The House of Representatives today bid a fond aloha to James T. Funaki who provided wise counsel and legal services to the legislature for more than 50 years. 

Thank you Mr. Funaki! Enjoy your retirement after a job well done. 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J7NfKK8jr6bucHOCmb9T905VSG08nVbh  

#HiHouseDems

LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, FINANCE COMMITTEES HEAR TESTIMONY ON BILL TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment and the Committee on Finance heard and received testimony from hundreds of groups and individuals in a joint hearing today on HB 2541.

Committee Chairs Aaron Ling Johanson and Sylvia Luke adjourned the hearing after nearly two hours saying no decision on the bill would be made today to allow members to read all the testimony before coming to a decision.

A separate notice will be issued for an upcoming hearing on decision making.

REP. YAMANE'S HUMAN SERVICES BILLS MOVING FORWARD AT STATE CAPITOL

Measures deal with bullying, mobile homeless facilities, LGBTQ commission

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Three important human services bills dealing with personal and sensitive subjects introduced this legislative session by Representative Ryan I. Yamane (Mililani, Waipio Gentry, Waikele) were assigned to be heard in House committee hearings this week.

"My commitment to tackling the issue of bullying has led me to discover that the two groups most frequently targeted in these acts are members of the homeless population and of the LGBTQ+ community," said Representative Yamane. "We have talked to students and community members who share our deep concerns of the impact of bullying on our children. I hope these measures will help ensure our children have a safe place to learn, play, and grow."

HB2038 establishes a 2-year mobile facilities pilot program for the Department of Human Services to purchase, staff, and operate mobile facilities on Department of Education property to provide services including laundry, showers, oral hygiene, and food for homeless children and their family members.

The bill is scheduled to be heard by the House Human Services & Homelessness and Lower & Higher Education committees at 2 p.m. Thursday, January 30 in room 309.

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TO HEAR BILL ON PHOTO RED LIGHT IMAGING PROJECT

HOUSE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE TO HEAR BILL ON PHOTO RED LIGHT IMAGING PROJECT

WHO:             Representative Henry Aquino, Chair, House Committee on Transportation

WHAT:          Committee hearing

WHEN:          Friday, January 31

                        10 a.m.

                       

WHERE:       Hawaii State Capitol

                        Room 423

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Transportation will hear testimony on HB1676 that would establish a photo red light imaging pilot program at 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 31 in room 423 at the State Capitol.

HB1676 is the first bill on the committee's agenda and establishes a three-year photo red light imaging detector system pilot program. The bill authorizes any impacted county to administer the photo red light imaging detector system pilot program. It also establishes a pilot program account as a special account within the general fund. The bill requires proceeds of fines to be expended in the county from which they were collected for operation of the photo red light imaging system program. The pilot program would sunset on June 20, 2023.

HEALTH COMMITTEE TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON SMART GROWTH FOR MEDICAL FACILITIES IN THE STATE

WHO:             Representative John Mizuno, Chair, House Committee on Health

WHAT:          Informational Briefing to review viable options for smart growth for medical facilities, especially in rural areas of the State

WHEN:          Thursday, January 30

                        10:15 a.m.

                       

WHERE:       Hawaiʻi State Capitol

                        Room 329

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Health will hold an informational briefing to review viable options for smart growth for medical facilities, especially in rural areas of the State at 10:15 a.m. Jan. 30 in room 329 at the State Capitol.

In Hawaiʻi, the Health Resources and Services Administration reported that the counties of Hawaiʻi and Mauʻi each have an average deficiency of 25 full-time healthcare service professionals, while the county of Kauaʻi has a shortage of 13 full-time healthcare service professionals. These shortages are expected to worsen as physicians and nurses working in rural areas retire faster than new healthcare recruits can replace them. 

Simultaneously, the population in the State's rural areas has increased in recent years, even as the State's overall population has seen a decline. These two factors combined will lead to a worsening of the ratio between healthcare professionals to patients. The legislature recognizes that as this ratio worsens, so may patient quality of care.

LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, FINANCE COMMITTEES TO HEAR TESTIMONY ON BILL TO SUPPORT WORKING FAMILIES

WHO:             Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair, Committee on Labor & Public Employment

Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair, Committee Finance

WHAT:          Joint committee hearing on HB 2541

WHEN:          Thursday, January 30

                        9 a.m.

WHERE:       Hawaii State Capitol

                        Room 309

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment and the Committee on Finance will hold a joint hearing on HB 2541 at 9 a.m. Jan. 30 in room 309 at the State Capitol.

The bill, titled Relating to Helping Working Families, makes the state earned income tax credit refundable and permanent. The bill also increases and amends the refundable food/excise tax credit by basing the amount of the credit on a taxpayer's Hawaiʻi earned income, rather than federal adjusted gross income. In addition, the bill increases the minimum wage rate to $11 per hour beginning on 1/1/2021, $12 per hour beginning on 1/1/2022, $12.50 per hour beginning on 1/1/2023, and $13 per hour beginning on 1/1/2024.

Decision making will follow the hearing.

Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. 

SPEAKER SAIKI PROPOSES BILL TO ALLOW BOARD OF EDUCATION TO TAP REAL PROPERTY TAXES TO FUND TEACHER COMPENSATION

Public to weigh in on bill, vote on Constitutional Amendment

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – House Speaker Scott K. Saiki has introduced HB 2671, a constitutional amendment proposing that the Board of Education (BOE) have concurrent real property tax authority to fund teacher compensation. "Concurrent" means the counties will retain their real property tax authority in addition to the BOE.

"HB 2671 addresses the question of how to fund increased teacher compensation. The general public and business community must weigh in on whether taxes should be raised to increase teacher salaries, and, if so, whether a real property tax is an appropriate source of revenue," said Speaker Saiki. "If approved by the Legislature, HB 2671 will be placed on the 2020 general election ballot and voters will have the opportunity to ratify it."

The amendment question placed on the ballot would read:

HOUSE, SENATE FILE BILLS TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC SUPPORT FOR WORKING CLASS FAMILIES

Measures tackle housing, childcare, wage issues highlighted in ALICE report

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House and Senate yesterday introduced eight bills that make up the 2020 joint legislative package to provide real economic benefits for Hawaiʻi's working-class families and individuals.

The joint legislative bill package tackles the issues highlighted in the Aloha United Way sponsored report, "ALICE: A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaii." The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report describes the economic hardships facing many working individuals and families in Hawaiʻi. According to the report, after allocating monies to pay for expenses such as housing, child care, food, taxes, health care, and transportation, a family of four needs to earn roughly $77,000 a year simply to survive.

To address these concerns, the bills filed yesterday include measures to provide tax relief for working families and individuals, to increase the minimum wage, to develop leasehold housing and provide tax exemptions for developers to build market price homes, to fund infrastructure development near rail stations in West Oahu and on the neighbor islands, to expand childcare options for parents near their work places, and to establish the School Facilities Agency to be responsible for all public school development, planning, and construction.

HB2541        SB3102              RELATING TO HELPING WORKING FAMILIES

Makes the state earned income tax credit refundable and permanent. Increases and amends the refundable food/excise tax credit by basing the amount of the credit on a taxpayer's Hawaiʻi earned income, rather than federal adjusted gross income. Increases minimum wage rate to $11 per hour beginning on January 1, 2021, $12 per hour beginning on January 1, 2022, $12.50 per hour beginning on January 1, 2023, and $13 per hour beginning on January 1, 2024.

KEIKI CAUCUS TO UNVEIL 2020 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

WHO:             Co-Conveners Representative John Mizuno and Senator Karl Rhoads

WHAT:          News conference to unveil the Keiki Caucus' 2020 Legislative Package of bills and resolutions

WHEN:          Friday, January 24

                        Noon

                       

WHERE:       Hawaii State Capitol

                        Room 423

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –Representative John M. Mizuno and Senator Karl Rhoads, co-conveners of the Keiki Caucus, will introduce the groups package of bills and resolutions during a news conference at noon Jan. 24 in room 423 at the State Capitol.

Deborah Zysman, director of the Hawaii Children's Action Network, and other community advocates will speak at the event.

FOSSIL FUEL CARS TO BE BANNED FROM SALE IN 2030

State Representative Takashi Ohno proposes prohibiting purchase of new gas-run cars in efforts to meet Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative goals

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –  State Representative Takashi Ohno (Nu‘uanu, Liliha, Pu‘unui, Alewa Heights) introduced a bill that would make this the last decade where solely gas powered cars will be sold in Hawai‘i. House Bill 2593 would allow the sale of only electric, hydrogen, or hybrid vehicles by car dealerships starting in 2030. Re-sale of gas-powered, used vehicles as well as purchase of large commercial vehicles or buses would still be allowed.

"Seeing young leaders take the lead to protect our planet inspired me to make a strong statement on how Hawai‘i can be a model of clean energy," said Ohno. "Future visitors to our state will see Hawai‘i's roads full of green cars and understand how deeply our community cares for the planet we all share."

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE TO HOLD INFORMATIONAL BRIEFING ON RATING HAWAIʻI'S EDUCATION SYSTEM

WHO:             Representative Justin H. Woodson, Chair, House Committee on Lower & Higher Education

WHAT:          Informational Briefing to discuss international competitiveness of Hawaiʻi's education system.

WHEN:          Tuesday, January 21, 2019

                        2 p.m.

                       

WHERE:       Hawaii State Capitol

                        Room 309

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Lower & Higher Education will hold an informational briefing to discuss international competitiveness of our education system in room 309 at 2 p.m. Jan. 21 at the State Capitol.

Michelle Exstrom, the Education Group Director of National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) will examine the following topics:

• Where Hawaiʻi's education system and scores compare to the rest of the country.
• Where America's education system and scores compare to the rest of the world.

LEGISLATURE LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL CAUCUS TO CONTINUE HAWAIʻI'S ROLE AS GLOBAL POLICY LEADER

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – To encourage legislative action on pressing environmental issues, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature has formed an Environmental Legislative Caucus. The inaugural meeting of the caucus was held on Tuesday, January 7, during which members discussed legislative priorities for the 2020 session. The caucus is co-chaired by Representative Nicole Lowen, Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection, and Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Environment.

"Hawaiʻi is a global leader on environmental, climate, and energy policy," said Rep. Lowen (Kailua-Kona, Hōlualoa), "but with the challenges we face today, we need to do more, faster. It's my hope that the creation of an Environmental Legislative Caucus will bring renewed focus and collaboration to the passage of needed environmental legislation."

Among the many environmental issues discussed by caucus members, climate change adaptation to sea level rise, resilience to natural disasters, forest and coral reef protection, and reducing the use of fossil fuels in the transportation and energy sectors were identified as issues to prioritize for legislative action this session. The caucus also recognized the need to address issues related to invasive species, drinking water safety, solid waste management, cesspools, and inclusion of environmental justice concerns in policymaking.

The caucus will build on legislation passed in recent years that has made Hawaiʻi a leader in environmental policy. It was the first state to pass a 100% clean energy goal and to ban the toxic pesticide chlorpyrifos. Hawaiʻi was also the first place in the world to protect its reefs from harmful sunscreen chemicals. In recent years the legislature has passed dozens of bills to protect the environment, advance renewable energy, expand clean transportation, and address the challenges of climate change, including establishing the Hawaiʻi Climate Commission, implementing the State's first appliance efficiency standards, and mandating the replacement of polluting cesspools by 2050.

JOINT ECONOMIC PACKAGE PROPOSES REAL BENEFITS FOR HAWAI‘I'S WORKING CLASS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

Historic effort brings House, Senate, Ige Administration and community leaders together for legislative package of bills to reduce income inequality

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – A joint House and Senate package of economic bills, strongly supported by the Ige Administration, is sharply focused on removing economic obstacles and improving the lives of Hawaiʻi's working-class. This historic collaboration was unveiled at the State Capitol today during a joint press conference.

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki said that the joint legislative bill package tackles the issues highlighted in the Aloha United Way sponsored report, "ALICE: A Study of Financial Hardship in Hawaii." The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report describes the economic hardships facing many working individuals and families in Hawaiʻi. According to the report, after allocating monies to pay for expenses such as housing, child care, food, taxes, health care, and transportation, a family of four needs to earn roughly $77,000 a year simply to survive.

"What my colleagues and I are proposing today to address the high cost of living in Hawaiʻi will directly support individuals and families who are struggling the most to make ends meet," said Speaker Saiki. "Every dollar counts when you are trying to stretch each paycheck just to meet basic needs. By increasing wages and tax benefits, investing in child care, and creating more affordable housing units, the Legislature, together with public and private partners, is working to end the cycle of poverty."

This is the first joint House and Senate legislative bill package since 2004 and it has the backing of the Governor. 

JOINT ECONOMIC PACKAGE PROPOSES REAL BENEFITS FOR HAWAI‘I'S WORKING CLASS FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS

Historic effort brings Ige Administration, House, Senate, community leaders together for legislative package of bills to reduce income inequality, create path forward

WHO:             Governor David Y. Ige

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki

Senate President Ronald D. Kochi

Representatives Sylvia Luke, Tom Brower, Justin H. Woodson, Aaron Ling Johanson

Senators Donovan M. Dela Cruz, Stanley Chang, Brian T. Taniguchi, Michelle N. Kidani

Aloha United Way Chief Operating Officer Norm Baker

Hawai‘i Community Foundation CEO & President Micah Kane

WHAT:          Press conference to unveil joint House, Senate, Administration legislative package of bills to benefit Hawai‘i's working families

WHEN:          Tuesday, January 14

                        2 p.m.

WHERE:       Room 445

Hawai‘i State Capitol

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –In a historic collaboration, Governor David Y. Ige, House Speaker Scott K. Saiki, Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi along with House and Senate and community leaders will unveil a joint package of economic bills today to benefit Hawai‘i's working families.

The bills focus on critical economic issues including affordable housing, child care, and reducing poverty to make life better for our residents.

We will live stream this event using Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/governordavidige

HOUSE, SENATE COMMITTEES TO HEAR UPDATE ON ENERGY EFFICIENCY

WHO:             Representative Nicole E. Lowen, Chair, House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection

Senator Glenn Wakai, Chair, Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism

WHAT:          Informational Briefing on Hawaii energy programs

WHEN:          Tuesday, January 14, 2020

                        10 a.m.

                       

WHERE:       Hawaiʻi State Capitol

                        Room 325

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –The House Committee on Energy & Environmental Protection and the Senate Committee Energy, Economic Development and Tourism will hold an informational briefing to hear from the Hawaiʻi Energy program about their progress on energy efficiency measures in the state to achieve the Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard of 4,300 gigawatt hours by 2030 at 10 a.m., January 14 in room 325 at the State Capitol.

Hawaiʻi Energy is the program under contract with the Public Utilities Commission to promote and incentivize energy efficiency measures in all counties except for Kauaʻi. They are funded by ratepayers through a fee on electric utility bills – the public benefits fee. Their services include consumer education and technical assistance, administering rebate programs, and working with residents, businesses and state agencies to reduce energy use.

LEGISLATURE ADVANCES EFFORTS TO HELP DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE WITH HAWAIʻI HOMELESSNESS SUMMIT 2020

WHO:             Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura, Chair, House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness

Senator Russell E. Ruderman, Chair, Senate Committee on Human Services

WHAT:          Informational Briefing on Hawaiʻi Homelessness Summit 2020

WHEN:          Tuesday, January 7, 2020

                        10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Hawaiʻi State Capitol

                        Room 329

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The Hawaiʻi State Legislature is advancing its efforts to end homelessness and will convene the Hawaiʻi Homelessness Summit 2020 on January 7 at the State Capitol.

Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura, Chair of the House Committee on Human Services & Homelessness, and Senator Russell E. Ruderman, Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services, will lead the summit to evaluate the success of existing programs funded by the Legislature and to look ahead and embrace innovative solutions to homelessness.

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation for homelessness on December 14, 2018 and recently signed a seventh supplementary proclamation extending the emergency relief period to February 14, 2020.

In 2018, the Legislature allotted $30 million for six “Ohana Zones” on public lands, with three sites on O‘ahu and one site each on Hawaiʻi, Kaua‘i and Maui. Each site must provide temporary housing along with social and health services that aim to transition homeless individuals to affordable housing.Gov. Ige began releasing funding for various Ohana Zone projects this past January.The Legislature has provided funding for housing first programs since 2012 and in 2017 provided funding for the rapid re-housing program, family assessment centers, and homeless outreach and civil legal services.

"Our ultimate goal is to eradicate homelessness, not just manage it," said Representative San Buenaventura. "Data has shown a significant decrease in homeless families and children over the past few years. Helping those struggling with a disabling condition such as serious mental illness, substance use disorder, or physical disability is especially challenging, but the Legislature is not giving up and we are listening to and working with providers to do everything we possibly can. We also want to ensure that the funding commitment made by the Legislature is being used efficiently and effectively."