Monday, March 23, 2015

House proposed budget includes over $60 million for capital improvements on Kauai

Kauai legislators secured over $60 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for various projects across the island, as part of the state budget passed by the House earlier this week. The largest single amount, $20 million was provided for airfield improvements at Lihue Airport, while additional funding was provided for various road improvements and for the construction of sheltered bus stops across the island.

Notable CIP funding highlights for Kauai include:
  • $1.5 million for the third phase construction of sheltered bus stops along highways $20 million for the construction of various airfield improvements at Lihue Airport
  • $10.6 million for land acquisition and improvements to Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of Kauai Community Correctional Center and Wailua Golf course
  • $15 million for replacement of Wainiha bridges 1, 2 and 3 along Kuhio Highway
  • $4.3 million for guardrail and shoulder improvements on state highways on Kauai
  • $600,000 for land acquisition and rehabilitation of Waioli Stream, Waipa Stream and Waikoko Stream bridges along Kuhio Highway
  • $500,000 to replace Waimea river crossing with new concrete ford crossing
  • $150,000 for slope stabilization at Lumahai Hillside, Kuhio Highway
  • $1.45 million for Kaumualii Highway improvements and rehabilitation
  • $1.1 million for repairs and maintenance at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor
  • $500,000 for an emergency generator at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital
  • $1.45 million for various improvements at Samuel Mahelona Memorial Hospital including endoscopy suite expansion, resurfacing of parking lots, and renovations of the psychiatric unit and nurses’ station.
  • $1.35 million for irrigation and electrical systems upgrades for Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital
  • $700,000 for various renovations at West Kauai Medical Center
  • $1.88 million for security and efficiency improvements at Kauai Community Correctional Center
  • $300,000 for the replacement of wooden doors with steel doors at Kauai Community Correctional Center
  • $1.485 million to replace grease trap and other renovations for Kaumualii Elementary School
  • $1.5 million for construction of an outdoor playcourt at Waimea Middle School
  • $500,000 to replace fire alarm system at Kapaa Elementary School
  • $1.065 million for reroofing, repairs, and firedoors at Kapaa High School
  • $361,000 for various repairs and maintenance at Kalaheo Elementary School
  • $263,000 for various repairs and maintenance at Waimea High School
  • $259,000 for various repairs and maintenance at Kekaha Elementary School
  • $180,000 for repairs at Kamakahelei Middle School
  • $150,000 to repair east wall and resurface basketball court at Eleele Elementary School
  • $93,000 to replace A/C and for locker room repairs at Kauai High School
  • $48,000 to install gutters and downspouts at Koloa Elementary School
  • $35,000 for repairs at Wilcox Elementary School
  • $1.624 million for the plans and design of the Hanahanapuni Firing Range
Contact Information:

Representative Derek Kawakami (Hanalei, Princeville, Kilauea, Anahola, Kapaa, Wailua)
(808) 586-8435
repkawakami@capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative James Tokioka (Wailua Homesteads, Hanamaulu, Lihue, Puhi, Old Koloa Town)
(808) 586-6270
reptokioka@capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Dee Morikawa (Niihau, Lehua, Waimea, Koloa)
(808) 586-6280
repmorikawa@capitol.hawaii.gov

Friday, March 20, 2015

State budget targets $165 million for Maui CIP



Under the state budget passed by the House this week, Maui representatives secured about $165 million in Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for various projects across Maui County. The largest single item by far was $38 million for expansion and improvements to Kahului Harbor. Of that, $17 million will go for land acquisition and improvements to the acquired parcel and $21 million for improvements to existing facilities over the two years of the biennium. The budget also includes $25 million for a new food innovation building at Maui Community College.

“Even as we prudently allocate necessary monies for current state services and unfunded liabilities, we also need to continue to invest in our infrastructure by maintaining them and making the necessary improvements essential to allow those facilities to meet changing needs and to sustain our services and communities’ quality life,” said House Speaker Joseph M. Souki, who represents Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku and Waikapu. “I am grateful to my Maui colleagues—Rep. Justin Woodson, Rep. Angus McKelvey, Rep. Kaniela Ing, Rep. Lynn DeCoite, and especially to our CIP Subcommittee Chair, Kyle Yamashita—who all worked collaboratively to secure these priorities for all of Maui County.”

Here are the highlights of the CIP funding secured for Maui County:
  • $38 million expansion and improvements to Kahului Harbor
  • $25 million for design and construction of a food innovation building at Maui Community College
  • $14.58 million for a new aircraft rescue and firefighting station and other related improvements at Hana Airport
  • $10.8 million for renovation and improvements to Kahului Airport
  • $9 million design and construction for a new administration building at Waihee Elementary School
  • $4.05 million to renovate and expand band/choir building at Maui High School $2.7 million for construction of weight training and wrestling rooms at Maui High School $2 million for design and construction of a covered play court at Makawao Elementary School 
  • $1 million for a water filtration system at Kula Elementary School
    $652,000 for landscaping at Pukalani Elementary School 
  • $280,000 for resurfacing of the existing play court at Kamalii Elementary School
  • $215,000 to replace and expand the gymnasium floor at Maui High School
  • $2.25 million for emergency dredging and replacement of buoys at Lahaina Small Boat Harbor
  • $5 million for construction of a regional park for central Maui
  • $2.99 million for upgrade of clinical patient monitoring systems and fire protection plumbing at Maui Memorial Medical Center
  • $2 million for improvement to Maui Raceway Park
  • $8.5 million for the next phase of the Lahaina bypass road construction
  • $1.8 million to widen a portion of Haleakala Highway from one lane to two
  • $9.5 million for rockfall mitigation and improvements to Hana Highway between Huelo and Hana
  • $1.05 million for the beautification of the main corridor between Kahului and Wailuku along the Hana Highway
  • $195,000 for Hana Highway improvements in Nahiku
  • $300,000 for a Paia bypass traffic alternative
  • $4 million for construction of a Maui office and annex building to support various state departmental divisions and programs
  • $500,000 for plans and designs for a Kahoolawe education center in South Maui
Funding highlights for Molokai:
  • $9 million for construction of an aircraft rescue and firefighting station and other related improvements to the Kalaupapa Airport
  • $3.5 million for renovation of the gym/emergency shelter at Molokai High School 
  • $3.5 million to replace the Makakupaia Stream Bridge along Kamehameha V Highway 
  • $3.2 million for improvements to Molokai Airport 
  • $1.2 million for the design and construction for improvements to the Molokai irrigation system
Funding highlights for Lanai:
  • $1.5 million for construction of airport road and other improvements to Lanai Airport
  • $828,000 for reroofing and rewiring of fire alarm for Lanai High and Elementary

Contact Information:

            Joseph M. Souki (District 8)
            (808) 586-6100
            repsouki@capitol.hawaii.gov

            Justin H. Woodson (District 9)
            (808) 586-6210
            repwoodson@capitol.hawaii.gov

            Angus McKelvey (District 10)
            (808) 586-6160
            repmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov

            Kaniela Ing (District 11)
            (808) 586-8525
            reping@capitol.hawaii.gov

            Kyle T. Yamashita (District 12)
            (808) 586-6330
            repyamashita@capitol.hawaii.gov

            Lynn DeCoite (District 13)
            (808) 586-6790
            repdecoite@capitol.hawaii.gov

House sends proposed FY16-FY17 budget to Senate

The full House today approved the state budget with the passage of HB500, HD1, which appropriates funds for both operating and capital improvements costs of the Executive Branch for the current biennium fiscal years FY2015-2016 and FY2016-2017. For FY2015-2016, the bill provides $6.5 billion in general funds and $12.7 billion in all means of financing. For FY2016-2017, it appropriates $6.8 billion in general funds and $13.1 billion in all financing means.

The budget also includes a total of nearly $1.474 billion for FY2016 and $755.3 million for FY2017 for capital improvement projects (CIP) throughout the state. Of the total CIP funds, $689.9 million go to CIP projects on Oahu, $165.1 million to Maui County (including Molokai and Lanai), $201.7 million for Hawaii Island, and $60.57 million for Kauai.

"While the state’s economy seems to be trending upward, we will continue our cautious approach to budgeting, even as we take care of our long-term unfunded liabilities and important CIP projects," said House Speaker Joseph M. Souki (Kahakuloa, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Wailuku, Kahului).

The state budget consists of two major funding allocations: Capital Improvement Projects funding (CIP) is money earmarked to build and maintain the state’s physical infrastructure; operating funds are monies used to actually run or operate state programs and services.

“Whether we’re talking about CIP or operating funds, our mindset in the House remains the same: to spend within our means as a matter of consistent practice,” said House Finance Chair

Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa).

“In the case of capital expenditures, we also need to consider that the money we use today on much needed repairs and maintenance—and in some cases to build a new facility—can in the long run save us money. Like our unfunded liabilities, delaying spending would be akin to kicking the proverbial can down the road. How we balance the needs of today and tomorrow defines wise spending.”

Operating Biennium Budget Totals:
FY2016: $6.5 billion General Funds
FY2017: $6.8 billion General Funds
FY2016: $12.7 billion All Means of Financing
FY2017: $13.1 billion All Means of Financing

Funding highlights include:

Office of the Governor
  • $400,000 to create the Office of Grant Maximization to pursue federal grants for the State
  • $252,000 to fund administrative costs, including the Western Governors’ Association Membership
Office of the Lt. Governor
  • $60,000 in FY 2016 for the Commissioner of Deeds program
  • $50,000 for protocol, travel, and other administrative expenses
  • $100,000 for the Office of Information Practices to assist with Information Technology issues
University of Hawaii
  • Consolidated the University of Hawaii general fund budget by transferring $369,112,604 currently budgeted at all campuses to UOH 900, UH System-wide Support; to be distributed according to Board of Regents and system wide policies and priorities
Department of Education
  • $2,401,808 for the Weighted Student Formula to be distributed to schools statewide
  • $1,000,000 in FY2016 to support student travel to academic and arts national competitions
  • $3,837,935 to support teacher recruitment and retention in hard to fill locations in the DOE and Charter Schools
  • Transferred $62,053,049 in FY2017 from School Support to School Based Budgeting for school level utility costs to allow principals to utilize utility savings in their schools  $2,929,146 in FY2016 and $2,496,292 in FY2017 to cover the Food Service program shortfall
  • $29,000 for the Hawaii State Public Library System for the replacement of a logistics support services van
  • $375,000 for the Hawaii State Public Library System to purchase new books and materials
  • Created a new Program ID for the State Charter School Commission to separate the budget of the Commission from the charter schools per pupil allocation
  • $5,963,625 in FY2016 and $5,586,689 in FY2017 for charter school per pupil funding
Department of Agriculture
  • $220,812 and 4 positions for the Pesticides Branch for pesticides enforcement on Oahu, Maui and Kauai
  • $200,000 in FY 2016 and $50,000 in FY 2017 for upgrades and maintenance of Animal Quarantine computer systems
Department of Accounting and General Services
  • $3,000,000 in FY2016 and $3,500,000 in FY2017 to improve the stability of the State's Information Technology infrastructure
  • $61,530 in FY2016 and FY2017 to restore the salary for the Deputy Comptroller
Department of the Attorney General
  • $500,000 which will enable the Department of the Attorney General to fill up to nine vacant positions
  • $176,336 of federal funds in FY2016 and $170,336 in FY2017 for two additional investigators for the Sex Offender Program
  • $300,000 in FY2016 for Statewide Sexual Assault Services
  • $169,508 for two positions to support the Hawaii Integrated Justice Information Sharing Program
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism 
Allocations include funding to foster economic international relations and establishment of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.
  • $250,000 to support the Beijing and Taipei state offices
  • $200,000 in FY2016 for fostering sister-state relationships
  • $1,000,000 for the operations of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority
Department of Defense
  • $95,000 for the Office of Homeland Security
  • $139,931 to support the Hawaii Army National Guard facilities at Kalaeloa
  • $820,483 in FY2016 and $1,210,489 in FY2017 to support the Hawaii Air National Guard facilities at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
  • $1,944,720 in FY2016 for the Veteran’s Cemetery for storm drain and walkway repairs, and the purchase of various pieces of heavy equipment
Department of Human Services
  • $2,600,000 to maintain the current general assistance monthly payment level at $349
  • $1,500,000 in general funds for FY2016 to continue the Housing First Program pilot program
  • $3,878,000 to support Temporary Assistance to Needy Families work programs and contracted services
Department of Human Resources Development
  • $200,000 in general funds for an in-service training and program effectiveness project for state employees
Department of Health
  • $7,723,002 to maintain the current level of ambulance services statewide
  • $2,997,000 for the Hawaii State Hospital to address budget shortfalls due to high patient counts
  • $635,000 for cost increases at intermediate care facilities for those with intellectual disabilities
  • Approved a reorganization of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health program to enable the program to provide better services to clients
  • Approved a reorganization for the community mental health centers in order to promote uniform quality of care statewide
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
  • $121,122 in FY 2016 and $123,752 in FY 2017 to enhance operations of the Hawai‘i Occupational Safety and Health Program
  • $54,823 in FY 2016 and $51,289 in FY 2017 for 1 position in the Disability Compensation Division
  • $170,122 in FY 2016 and $175,513 in FY 2017 to fund nine Information Technology specialists
Department of Land and Natural Resources
  • $75,000 for a State Sustainability Coordinator
  • $65,000 for a Co-Manager of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
  • $529,543 in FY 2016 and $513,193 in FY 2017 for 5 positions and equipment for the State Historic Preservation Division to address backlogs as prescribed by the National Park Service corrective action plan
  • $250,000 in FY 2016 and $500,000 in FY 2017 for the digitization of microfilm archives in the Bureau of Conveyances
  • $1,000,000 for the State Parks Division for repairs and maintenance of facilities
  • Approved the reorganization of the Aquatic Resources Division to replace an outdated fisheries management-based structure with an ecosystem management-based one
Department of Public Safety
  • $18,000 for body armor for Deputy Sheriffs across the state
Department of Taxation
  • $250,000 for research studies and operations of the Tax Review Commission
Department of Transportation
  • $36,695,000 in FY 2016 and $35,401,000 in FY 2017 to address special maintenance projects at the airports, statewide. This includes runway re-pavement, terminal renovations, interior upgrades, bathroom restorations, replacement fire alarms, and building repairs
  • $13,560,000 in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for special maintenance repairs to the Harbors; including structural pier repairs and pavement repairs
  • $921,000 to maintain zipper lane operations
  • $70,943,000 in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for highway road repair and maintenance projects, statewide

Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)

“The CIP budget addresses the most basic necessities for our schools, infrastructure and state facilities," said House Majority Leader Scott Saiki (McCully, Kaheka, Kakaako, Downtown). “The CIP funds are more than just about buildings and roads, but are critical to the services and support we provide to the people of Hawaii.”

Capital Improvement Program Biennium Budget Totals:
FY2016: $590.8 million General Obligation Bond Funds
FY2017: $255.9 million General Obligation Bond Funds
FY2016: $883.3 million All Means of Financing Funds
FY2017: $499.4 million All Means of Financing Funds

CIP highlights 
Agriculture
  • $1.2 million for the design and construction of the Molokai irrigation system
  • $2.35 million for the plans, design and construction for the Kamuela vacuum cooling plant
Accounting and General Services
  • A total of $24 million for the maintenance of existing public facilities and sites
Business, Economic Development, and Tourism  
  • $50 million to the Rental Housing Trust Fund to finance additional affordable rental housing statewide  
Defense
  • A total of $1.52 million for the addition, replacement and upgrade of state civil defense warning and communications equipment
  • $10.682 million total for upgrades to the National Guard facilities to meet current standards
  • $1.5 million for improving hurricane protection for public buildings and increasing the number of public shelters statewide
  • $62.813 million for the construction of a new veterans long term care facility in Oahu
Education
A lump sum CIP total of over $263 million for school facilities statewide, including design, construction, improvements and equipment purchases.
  • $350,000 for the design and construction of a locker room and covered play court at Anuenue Hawaiian Immersion School
  • $4.117 million for the expansion of the cafeteria at Castle High School
  • $4.6 million for electrical upgrades and the installation of A/C at Ewa Beach Elementary School
  • $780,000 for electrical upgrades for Buildings C and D at Ewa Elementary School
  • $10 million for the modernization of the Farrington High School campus  $2 million for the first phase of renovations at Hilo Intermediate School
  • $1 million for the construction of bleachers at Honokaa High School
  • $1.4 million for the design of a performing arts and media center at Kailua High School
  • $3.5 million for the construction of a multipurpose athletic facility at Kalani High School
Hawaiian Homelands 
  • $40 million for plans, design and construction for various Hawaiian homestead projects and improvements statewide
Health
  • $1.2 million for the plans and design of a new hospital in Kona
  • $32 million for Hawaii Health System Corporation hospitals for repair and maintenance, upgrades and improvements
Judiciary
  • $55 million to continue funding for construction of the Kona Judiciary Complex
Land and Natural Resources
  • $7 million total for the Waikiki beach maintenance
  • $6 million for rockfall and flood mitigation statewide
  • $1 million for Pu’u Wa’awa’a structure improvements and dam compliance
  • $1.675 million to provide statewide support for fire and natural disaster response
  • $2 million for the wildlife watershed initiative
  • $5.875 million in lump sum improvement at boating and ocean recreation facilities statewide
  • $5 million for the construction of a Central Maui regional park
  • $3.5 million total for improvements at state parks
  • $500,000 for the design of an education and visitor center for the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission
Public Safety
  • A total of $21 million for various renovations and other capital improvements to buildings and infrastructure
Transportation
  • $21 million for improvements at Kahului Harbor
  • $14.58 million for compliance improvements for a new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting station at Hana Airport
  • $9 million for the construction of a new Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting station at Kalaupapa Airport
  • $1.5 million for airport road and parking lot improvements at Lanai Airport
  • $3.2 million for Molokai Airport runway improvements
  • $17 million for commercial harbor facility improvements statewide
  • $15 million for the repair and maintenance of feeder roads and alternate routes for Highway 130 on Hawaii Island
  • $8.5 million for the realignment of Honoapiilani Highway from Maalaea to Launiupuko on Maui
  • A total of $9.495 million for various improvements to Hana Highway including rockfall mitigation and roadway widening
  • $2.3 million for bikeway improvements at various locations statewide

University of Hawaii
  • A total of $51 million statewide for minor capital improvements program projects
  • $25 million for a new food innovation building at Maui Community College


Students’ vision of Hawaii’s future filled with concern and hope

“Hawaii is nearly a perfect place to live; yet it still faces some problems,” wrote Dallas Kuba, a fourth grade student at Manoa Elementary School. “Homelessness is one of our island’s biggest threats.”

“I love living in the state of Hawaii, but there are certain aspects that are starting to make me worry about the future,” stated Lindsey Millerd, an eighth grader at Waipahu Intermediate.

“In the next 50 years, Hawaii must focus on sustainability to continue to be the best place to work and live,” wrote Kiani Nishimoto, a sophomore at Waiakea High School.

Kuba, Millerd and Nishimoto are the three top essay winners of the Hawaii: Next 50 Contest. The contest challenged the up-and-coming generation to become stakeholders in shaping the future of Hawaii. Last December, lawmakers invited students across the state to create an essay, poster or video which answers the question, "What do you think needs to happen in the next 50 years for Hawaii to be the best place to work and live?"

If the winning essayists’ visions were clouded with concerns for Hawaii, they were also filled with optimism and solutions for the issues they saw facing the state. In identifying homelessness as the biggest threat to Hawaii’s future, Manoa Elementary’s Kuba saw more jobs, better pay and hotels for the homeless as solutions to the problem.

“If we can solve these issues, then Hawaii can probably be the best place to work and live,” Kuba wrote. “I love living in Hawaii and will try to make this the best place for everyone.”

A total of 456 entries from 16 schools were received from across the state. Winning entries were selected in each of the two categories: essay and visual arts, with winners selected for 4-5, 6-8 and 9-12 grade brackets. Contest entries were judged by members of the Pacific Century Fellows, the Hawaii Future Caucus and the aio Foundation.

All student winners and their teachers were recognized at the State Capitol during a floor presentation in the House Chambers and were invited to attend a luncheon with Governor George Ariyoshi and the Hawaii Future Caucus in the Lieutenant Governor’s conference room.

The Hawaii: Next 50 Contest is inspired by former Governor George Ariyoshi's book, Hawaii: The Past Fifty Years, The Next Fifty Years, which provided a retrospective look into the state’s history and prompts the next generation to think about what social, cultural and economic roads can be taken to keep Hawaii moving forward in the next century.

The contest is a collaboration of the Hawaii State House of Representatives, Hawaii Future Caucus and aio Foundation. More information and winning entries are available on its website at www.HawaiiNext50.com.


Hawaii: Next 50 Student Winners

Grades 4-5
Essay
1. Manoa Elementary - Dallas Kuba, Ms. Darcie Kajioka

Visual Arts
1. Lanakila Elementary - Teyshaun Rosales, Ms. Camille Sismar

Grades 6-8
Essay
1. Waipahu Intermediate - Lindsey Millerd, Ms. Cynthia Tong

Visual Arts
1. Waipahu Intermediate - Bryson Manuel, Ms. Cynthia Tong

Grades 9-12
Essay
1. Waiakea High School - Kiani Nishimoto, Ms. Donna Tanabe

Visual Arts
1. Waiakea High School - Kaydee Rapozo, Ms. Donna Tanabe

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

House Honors Hawaii Teachers of the Year


State Representatives today recognized the top teachers of the year for 2015 with presentations on the floor of the House, as part of Education Week at the Capitol. Among those honored were Catherine Caine, the 2015 Hawaii State Teacher of the Year; Jamie Takamura, the 2015 Central District Teacher of the Year; Masaru Uchino, Leeward District Teacher of the Year; Elizabeth Frilles, Windward District Teacher of the Year; David Huitt, Hawaii District Teacher of the Year; Richard Arase, Maui District Teacher of the Year; and Marly Madayag, Kauai District Teacher of the Year.

“It goes without saying that education is the linchpin that connects the present to our collective future,” said House Speaker Joseph M. Souki. “The contributions that these outstanding teachers make to their students and the state cannot be overstated. Through their extraordinary efforts, they are making a difference in both the lives of their young students and in the society that they will help shape. We owe all of them our heartfelt congratulations and thanks.”

The awardees were selected by the Hawaii Department of Education, which honors each year the state's best educators with its Teacher of the Year awards.


CATHERINE CAINE, a teacher at Waikiki Elementary School, is the 2015 State Teacher of the Year and is one of four finalist for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year. She was selected because of her exemplary commitment to teaching and her innovative, student-based inquiry approach to secondary education, which sets high expectations and has yielded exceptional results. She creates a classroom environment in which her students can shine, feel comfortable asking questions, and learn and grow from their experiences. Her genuine concern for students extends to the entire school community, demonstrated through integrating technology to motivate her students to tackle relevant issues that engage them, which makes learning meaningful, memorable and fun.

JAMIE TAKAMURA, a curriculum coordinator at Red Hill Elementary School, is the 2015 Central District Teacher of the Year. She was selected because of her outstanding team-building and leadership skills. She was instrumental in making Red Hill one of only three schools statewide to be recognized for high performance and closing the achievement gap in the last school year.

MASARU UCHINO, a third grade math teacher at Momilani Elementary School, is the 2015 Leeward District Teacher of the Year. He was selected because of his commitment to excellence in education and the instrumental role he plays in integrating standards-based learning into an original musical he writes, directs and produces each year. He also founded an afterschool running and fitness group, The Momilani Fit Factory. His recipe for success: create a culture of belief, optimism and perseverance, and students will achieve excellence.

ELIZABETH FRILLES, a science teacher at Olomana School, is the 2015 Windward District Teacher of the Year. Her efforts to transform her class into a safe haven for at-risk students resulted in individuals who consistently earn science, engineering and robotics awards. She incorporates project, cultural and problem-based education to engage students in complex and relevant lessons. Despite already serving as department head and in other leadership roles, she can often be seen coaching and mentoring student teachers and peers in her spare time.

DAVID HUITT, a history teacher at Kealakehe High School, is the 2015 Hawaii District Teacher of the Year. He has inspired his own students to pursue their dreams while teaching them humility through community service, which is a hallmark of David's curriculum. Huitt’s students have raised approximately $50,000 for orphans in India, cooked over 6,000 meals for the needy, and collected hundreds of bags of trash from roads, parks, and beaches. His co-workers have praised his relationships with students, his creative lessons, his patience and his true spirit of service.

RICHARD ARASE, a social studies teacher at Maui Waena Intermediate School, is the 2015 Maui District Teacher of the Year. He was selected for his proactive education method of turning students into classroom performers who take charge of their education. He believes his students can thrive with a safe learning environment and memorable experiences by transforming the curriculum into something exciting.

MARLY MADAYAG, a fifth grade teacher at Kalaheo Elementary School, is the 2015 Kauai District Teacher of the Year. She was chosen because of her organizational and creative skills which, combined with training in special education and the gifted and talented program, allow her to meet the needs of all learners. Madayag encourages her students to hunt for information and to find answers to their own questions. She believes teaching is about fostering students' ability to think for themselves.

As part of Education Week, the House also recognized winners of the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for their commitment to community service. They included:

Kaytlen Akau, of Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School, and Alexandra Skrocki, of Admiral Arthur W. Radford High School, as the Hawaii State Honorees for the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for their altruistic actions and their demonstration of peer leadership and exemplary community spirit. The pair will represent Hawaii at the national competition.

Jasmine Doan, of Seabury Hall School, and Jillian Madanay, of Lutheran High School of Hawaii, were named the Hawaii Distinguished Finalists for the 2015 Prudential Spirit of Community Awards for their impressive community service activities and for demonstrating community pride.

The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards is presented by Prudential Financial in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), and honors young volunteers across America who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to serving their communities. The program chooses one honoree from the middle school and high school levels from each state and the District of Columbia for their hard work and dedication to volunteering. The National Association of Secondary School Principals is the leading organization of, and national voice for, middle and high school principals, assistant principals, and all other school leaders from across the United States.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Legislature to Kick off 2015 Education Week


Co-sponsors of the week’s events are Senator Michelle Kidani, Chair of the Senate Committee on Education, and Representative Roy Takumi, House Education Committee Chair.

“Nearly every day we hear about the outstanding accomplishments of students and teachers in our public schools,” Senator Kidani said. “They deserve public recognition for their work. This is a very inspiring week for all of us at the Capitol.”

Representative Takumi added, “Just last week we learned that Hawaii is one of only a handful of states that earned the highest marks for progress on reforms. The students and teachers we recognize during Education Week are perfect examples of the excellence we are striving to support.”
The State Legislature will recognize students, teachers and school administrators during presentation ceremonies at the State Capitol over four days next week (March 17-20). Lawmakers have set aside Education Week for the past few years to honor excellence in teaching and campus leadership as well as student achievements in academics and community service.

This year’s honorees will be recognized with congratulatory certificates from both the Senate and House. The ceremonies are open to the public with gallery seating available in both Chambers. The Senate convenes at 11:30 a.m. each day; the House convenes at noon.

The following is a schedule of events and awardees for Education Week:

Tuesday, March 17 (Ceremonies in the Senate, followed by the House)

Hawaii’s 2015 Teachers of the Year
  • State Teacher of the Year and Honolulu District Teacher of the Year – Catherine Caine, Waikiki Elementary
  • Central District – Jamie Takamura, Red Hill Elementary
  • Leeward District – Masaru Uchino, Momilani Elementary
  • Windward District – Elizabeth Frilles, Olomana School Hawaii Island District – David Huitt, Kealakehe High
  • Maui District – Richard Arase, Maui Waena Intermediate
  • Kauai District – Mary Madayag, Kalaheo Elementary
Prudential Community Spirit Awards
  • Alexandra Skrocki, Radford High School
  • Kaytlen Akau, Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School
  • Jasmine Doan, Seabury Hall School
  • Jillian Madanay, Lutheran High School
Wednesday, March 19

2015 Hawaii High School Division 1 Soccer State Champions (Senate Only)
  • Boys Varsity Soccer, Mililani High School
  • Girls Varsity Soccer, Mililani High School
Oahu Interscholastic Association Division 1 Soccer Coach of the Year (Senate Only)
  • Steve McGehee, Mililani High School Boys Varsity Soccer
  • Ray Akiona, Mililani High School Girls Varsity Soccer
Thursday, March 19 (Senate, followed by House)

2014 Masayuki Tokioka Excellence in School Leadership Award
  • Ed Oshiro, Ewa Makai Middle School
Public and School Libraries
  • Librarian of the Year – Baron Baroza, Aiea Public Library
  • Librarian Excellence in Service – Don Ramos, Kahuku Public and School Library
2015 Milken Foundation Educator
  • Jana Fukada, Mililani Uka Elementary School
2014 Milken Foundation Teacher of Promise
  • Ryan Kagami, Kailua Intermediate School
Friday, March 20 (Senate, followed by House)

Hawaii Association of Secondary School Administrators
  • High School Principal of the Year – Keith Hayashi, Waipahu High School
  • Middle School Principal of the Year – Elynne Chung, Mililani Middle School
  • Elementary School Assistant Principal of the Year – Jacque Shaner, Kaneohe Elementary
2014 National Distinguished Principal of the Year
  • Duwayne Abe, Salt Lake Elementary
2014 Voya Unsung hero
  • Jason-Dettweiler Pavia, Kaiulani Elementary
Hawaii’s 2014 National Blue Ribbon Schools
  • Ernest Bowen deSilva Elementary School, Principal Dennis O’Brien
  • Haleiwa Elementary School, Principal Malaea Wetzel
  • Red Hill Elementary School, Principal Mona Smoot
Hawaii: Next 50 Statewide Contest Winners (House Only)
  • Dallas Kuba, Manoa Elementary, Grades 4-5 Essay
  • Teyshaun Rosales, Lanakila Elementary, Grades 4-5 Visual Arts
  • Lindsey Millerd, Waipahu Intermediate, Grades 6-8 Essay
  • Bryson Manuel, Waipahu Intermediate, Grades 6-8 Visual Arts
  • Kiani Nishimoto, Waiakea High School, Grades 9-12 Essay
  • Kaydee Rapozo, Waiakea High School, Grades 9-12 Visual Arts
Note: Additional information for the awards are hyperlinked to the respective headings.

###

For more information, please contact:

House of Representatives
Representative Roy Takumi 808-586-6170

Senate
Senator Michelle Kidani 808-586-7100

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

House Finance Committee Proposes Conservative Budget

The House Finance Committee today passed out a proposed budget that would create a proactive framework for the state to consistently spend within its means.

“The idea is not just to spend conservatively but to create a mindset for the state to spend within its means as a matter of consistent practice,” said Representative Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa), House Finance Chair.

“Too often in years past, the state spent whatever monies it collected in good times and pulled in the reins in bad. Our long-term obligations were the cans that were kicked down the road. That’s why we are in the position we are in today. We hope this budget will change that mindset once and for all.”

HB500 HD1, which appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the current biennium, fiscal years FY2015-2016 and FY2016-2017, is scheduled for a vote next week by the full House.

For FY2015-2016, the bill offers $6.5 billion in general funds and $12.7 billion in all means of financing. For FY2016-2017, it appropriates $6.8 billion in general funds and $13.1 billion in all financing means.

While the total budget is slightly less than the budget proposed by the Ige Administration, it did include $400,000 to staff a new function within the Governor’s Office to aggressively go after federal grants, an initiative that Governor Ige mentioned in his State of the State address.

“While we’ve talked about needing to go after federal grants in the past, the departments are not equipped to pursue them as aggressively as we would like them to,” Luke said. “So we’ll be working with the Governor in setting up an office within the Administration to spearhead this effort on behalf of all of our departments. $400,000 is a small investment if it can bring in a substantial amount of federal funds.”

The House Finance Committee also took a different approach in allocating funds to the University of Hawaii system, by moving the university's general funds, $369,112,604, to the UH System Office, letting it determine the needs of each campus.

“When we took up the autonomy bill, one of the things the Legislature considered was lump sum budgeting, which is a truer form of autonomy,” Luke said. “While this is a drastic change from the past, we will be working with the university to see if this provides better flexibility, as well as accountability, to work through its fiscal issues more effectively.”

Funding highlights include:

Office of the Governor
  • $400,000 to create the Office of Grant Maximization to pursue federal grants for the State
  • $252,000 to fund administrative costs, including the Western Governors’ Association Membership
Office of the Lt. Governor
  • $60,000 in FY 2016 for the Commissioner of Deeds program
  • $50,000 for protocol, travel, and other administrative expenses
  • $100,000 for the Office of Information Practices to assist with Information Technology issues
University of Hawaii
  • Consolidated the University of Hawaii general fund budget by transferring $369,112,604 currently budgeted at all campuses to UOH 900, UH System-wide Support; to be distributed according to Board of Regents and system wide policies and priorities
Department of Education
  • $2,401,808 for the Weighted Student Formula to be distributed to schools statewide
  • $1,000,000 in FY2016 to support student travel to academic and arts national competitions
  • $3,837,935 to support teacher recruitment and retention in hard to fill locations in the DOE and Charter Schools
  • Transferred $62,053,049 in FY2017 from School Support to School Based Budgeting for school level utility costs to allow principals to utilize utility savings in their schools  $2,929,146 in FY2016 and $2,496,292 in FY2017 to cover the Food Service program shortfall
  • $29,000 for the Hawaii State Public Library System for the replacement of a logistics support services van
  • $375,000 for the Hawaii State Public Library System to purchase new books and materials
  • Created a new Program ID for the State Charter School Commission to separate the budget of the Commission from the charter schools per pupil allocation
  • $5,963,625 in FY2016 and $5,586,689 in FY2017 for charter school per pupil funding
Department of Agriculture
  • $220,812 and 4 positions for the Pesticides Branch for pesticides enforcement on Oahu, Maui and Kauai
  • $200,000 in FY 2016 and $50,000 in FY 2017 for upgrades and maintenance of Animal Quarantine computer systems
Department of Accounting and General Services
  • $3,000,000 in FY2016 and $3,500,000 in FY2017 to improve the stability of the State's Information Technology infrastructure
  • $61,530 in FY2016 and FY2017 to restore the salary for the Deputy Comptroller
Department of the Attorney General
  • $500,000 which will enable the Department of the Attorney General to fill up to nine vacant positions
  • $176,336 of federal funds in FY2016 and $170,336 in FY2017 for two additional investigators for the Sex Offender Program
  • $300,000 in FY2016 for Statewide Sexual Assault Services
  • $169,508 for two positions to support the Hawaii Integrated Justice Information Sharing Program
Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism 
Allocations include funding to foster economic international relations and establishment of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority.
  • $250,000 to support the Beijing and Taipei state offices
  • $200,000 in FY2016 for fostering sister-state relationships
  • $1,000,000 for the operations of the Hawaii Green Infrastructure Authority
Department of Defense
  • $95,000 for the Office of Homeland Security
  • $139,931 to support the Hawaii Army National Guard facilities at Kalaeloa
  • $820,483 in FY2016 and $1,210,489 in FY2017 to support the Hawaii Air National Guard facilities at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam
  • $1,944,720 in FY2016 for the Veteran’s Cemetery for storm drain and walkway repairs, and the purchase of various pieces of heavy equipment
Department of Human Services
  • $2,600,000 to maintain the current general assistance monthly payment level at $349
  • $1,500,000 in general funds for FY2016 to continue the Housing First Program pilot program
  • $3,878,000 to support Temporary Assistance to Needy Families work programs and contracted services
Department of Human Resources Development
  • $200,000 in general funds for an in-service training and program effectiveness project for state employees
Department of Health
  • $7,723,002 to maintain the current level of ambulance services statewide
  • $2,997,000 for the Hawaii State Hospital to address budget shortfalls due to high patient counts
  • $635,000 for cost increases at intermediate care facilities for those with intellectual disabilities
  • Approved a reorganization of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health program to enable the program to provide better services to clients
  • Approved a reorganization for the community mental health centers in order to promote uniform quality of care statewide
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations
  • $121,122 in FY 2016 and $123,752 in FY 2017 to enhance operations of the Hawai‘i Occupational Safety and Health Program
  • $54,823 in FY 2016 and $51,289 in FY 2017 for 1 position in the Disability Compensation Division
  • $170,122 in FY 2016 and $175,513 in FY 2017 to fund nine Information Technology specialists
Department of Land and Natural Resources
  • $75,000 for a State Sustainability Coordinator
  • $65,000 for a Co-Manager of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
  • $529,543 in FY 2016 and $513,193 in FY 2017 for 5 positions and equipment for the State Historic Preservation Division to address backlogs as prescribed by the National Park Service corrective action plan
  • $250,000 in FY 2016 and $500,000 in FY 2017 for the digitization of microfilm archives in the Bureau of Conveyances
  • $1,000,000 for the State Parks Division for repairs and maintenance of facilities
  • Approved the reorganization of the Aquatic Resources Division to replace an outdated fisheries management-based structure with an ecosystem management-based one
Department of Public Safety
  • $18,000 for body armor for Deputy Sheriffs across the state
Department of Taxation
  • $250,000 for research studies and operations of the Tax Review Commission
Department of Transportation
  • $36,695,000 in FY 2016 and $35,401,000 in FY 2017 to address special maintenance projects at the airports, statewide. This includes runway re-pavement, terminal renovations, interior upgrades, bathroom restorations, replacement fire alarms, and building repairs
  • $13,560,000 in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for special maintenance repairs to the Harbors; including structural pier repairs and pavement repairs
  • $921,000 to maintain zipper lane operations
  • $70,943,000 in FY 2016 and FY 2017 for highway road repair and maintenance projects, statewide

Finance Committee Passes Budget Bill to Fund Kona Courthouse

The House Committee on Finance passed today its drafts of several budget bills, including the budgets for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA), the Judiciary and the Executive operating and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP).

Included in the CIP allocations is $55 million to fully fund the Kona Judiciary Project, which received partial funding in the last biennium. With this final allocation, the project would be able to finally move forward and begin construction.

“As a member of the House Finance Committee, I helped to ensure that the House position is to fully fund the courthouse this year. Hopefully, the Senate will leave the funding in there. West Hawaii has been waiting a long time for this and if we continue to wait, costs will increase and conditions in the current facilities will continue to deteriorate. It’s crucial to get this project funded this year,” said Representative Nicole Lowen (District 6 – Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa).

The budget bills will now move to the House floor for a full vote, and then to the Senate for their consideration.

San Buenaventura Bills Pass House, Advances to Senate

As the 2015 Legislature reached its midway point this week, a number of bills introduced by Puna Representative Joy San Buenaventura are now up for consideration by the Senate after being passed by the full House of Representatives.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to keep these bills alive halfway through the very rigorous process of creating legislation,” Rep. Buenaventura said. “They represent real solutions to everyday issues and problems faced by the people of Puna in the aftermath of life changing natural disasters, and I will continue to push for them even as they move to the Senate chambers.”

Among the bills are several measures that seek to address concerns raised by residents affected by the recent natural disasters that have impacted the Puna region.

  • HB737, HD2 helps current and future homeowners who reside in lava zone areas that has been declared to be in a state of emergency to obtain and renew property insurance policies. This Act also enables a homeowner, in such a lava zone, who had no prior property insurance coverage to purchase insurance coverage to be effective within six months from the date of policy acceptance. (Co-introducer)
  • HB1314 HD1 establishes the emergency home relocation special fund to assist persons dispossessed of their homes as a result of a natural disaster by providing for infrastructure development, grants, and loans. (Primary Introducer)
  • HB376 HD2 makes specific changes to the Chief Election Officer including designating the position as an at-will employee; and requires the State Elections Commission to conduct a performance evaluation and to hold a public hearing on the performance of the Chief Elections Officer. (Primary introducer)
Others bills introduced by Rep. San Buenaventura and passed by the House include:
  • HB847, HD1 appropriates funds for an Interdisciplinary Hawaii Health Systems Corp. (HHSC) Primary Care Training Program at Hilo Medical Center to address the shortage of primary care physicians—particularly on the neighbor islands and in rural communities. (Co-introducer)
  • HB851, HD1 appropriates funds to establish an advanced life support ambulance based in Puna. (Co-introducer)
  • HB1107 appropriates funds for the establishment and maintenance of a bookmobile that will serve the rural areas of the island of Hawaii. (Primary introducer)
  • HB1370, HD1 provides statutory authority for the Employees’ Retirement System Administrator to make direct payment to a former spouse of a member of benefits or portion thereof pursuant to valid court judgment, order or decree. (Primary introducer)
  • HB87 shields process servers from prosecution under criminal trespass statutes when performing their duties. (Primary introducer)
A full list of measures proposed by Rep. San Buenaventura is available at http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/advreports/advreport.aspx?report=intro&year=2015&leg=San%20Buenaventura&rpt_type=first_pri.

Rail Surcharge, Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Among Key Bills Approved by House

As the Thursday crossover deadline approaches, the House passed bills: modifying the state’s excise tax surcharge for rail, authorizing the creation of medical marijuana dispensaries in Hawaii, requiring health insurers with greater than 20 percent of the state’s small group insurance market to offer qualified health plans under the Hawaii Health Connector, and facilitating the creation of a private-public partnership for Maui’s public hospitals.

The House also passed on to the Senate today another 200 bills including measures addressing the state’s infrastructure, local businesses and the economy, and participation and transparency in government. The three areas reflect the focus of the House majority on improving and modernizing government that was identified at the start of the legislative session.

The House now stands in recess and will reconvene to take action on any remaining final measures for third reading on Thursday, March 12 at 12 p.m. To date, the House has approved more than 300 bills this session, which will now move to the Senate for its consideration.

Following Thursday’s crossover deadline, the House will focus its attention on HB500, relating to the state budget, which must be passed out of the committee on Finance by March 16 and voted on by the full body by March 18.

Key and topical measures passed by the House today include:

HB134, HD1, which removes the authority of the City and County of Honolulu to collect a tax surcharge beginning on January 1, 2016, but would allow all counties, including the City and County of Honolulu, to adopt a new tax surcharge at a rate of 0.25 per cent, beginning on January 1, 2017, and restricts the tax surcharge adopted by the City and County of Honolulu, if any, to be used for Honolulu's rail project;

HB321, HD1, which establishes and provides funding for medical marijuana dispensaries and production centers, mandates at least one dispensary in each county, and allows for the manufacturing of capsules, lozenges, oils and pills containing medical marijuana;

HB1467, HD2, which enables Hawaii’s Health Connector to offer large group coverage to insurers and requires health insurers with a greater than 20 percent share of the state’s small group health insurance market to offer at least one silver and at least one gold qualified health plan as a condition for participating in the Health Connector’s individual market;

HB1075, HD2, which authorizes the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation Maui Regional System to enter into an agreement with a private entity to transition one or more of its facilities into a new private Hawaii nonprofit corporation;

HB1112, HD2, which reconsolidates Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s (HHSC) operational administration and oversight by eliminating regional system boards, repealing certain limits on operational authority within HHSC and amending requirements for HHSC supplemental bargaining agreements for its employees;

HB295, HD1, which limits compelled disclosure of sources or unpublished information by journalists, newscasters and persons participating in collection or dissemination of news or information of substantial public interest (Shield Law), and establishes exceptions;

HB940, HD1, which prohibits the use of electronic smoking devices in places where smoking is prohibited;

HB1089, HD2, which requires motor vehicle safety inspections to be conducted every two years rather than annually for vehicles registered in a county with a population of 300,000 or less;

HB1090, HD2, which prohibits non-compete agreements and restrictive covenants that forbid post-employment competition for employees of a technology business to stimulate economic development in Hawaii’s technology business sector;

HB1011, HD1, which defines dangerous wheels on motor vehicles and prohibits their use; and

HB631, HD2, which establishes the documentation required when a birth registrant requests the state Department of Health to issue a new birth certificate with a sex designation change;

In addition, bills relating to the focus of the House majority on improving and modernizing government include:

INFRASTRUCTURE

Education
HB820, HD2, which establishes the Executive Office on Early Learning Prekindergarten Program to be administered by the Executive Office on Early Learning and provided through Department of Education public schools and public charter schools;

HB819, HD2, which requires state and county agencies and grantees that serve youth to adopt bullying prevention policies, and establishes a task force to assist the Governor with bullying prevention policies in the state;

Energy
HB1504, HD2, which requires the Legislative Reference Bureau to study electric utilities, including organizational models and the conversion process, and establishes a cap on the Hawaii electricity reliability surcharge for interconnection to the Hawaii electric system;

HB623, HD2, which increases the state’s renewable portfolio standards to 70 percent by December 31, 2035, and 100 percent by December 31, 2045, and adds the impact on renewable energy developer energy prices to PUC study and reporting requirements;

HB264, HD1, which requires the PUC to establish a process for the creation of integrated energy districts or micro-grids;

HB1286, HD2, which amends the state's objectives and policies relating to energy facility systems, including a policy of ensuring that fossil fuels such as liquefied natural gas be used only as a transitional, limited-term replacement of petroleum for electricity generation and not impede the development and use of renewable energy sources;

HB1509, HD3, which requires the University of Hawaii to establish a collective goal of becoming a net-zero energy user by January 1, 2035, establishes the University of Hawaii Net-zero Special Fund, and appropriates funds for capital improvement projects and for staff;

HB240, HD1, which expands the types of businesses qualified to receive benefits under the state enterprise zone law to include service businesses that provide air conditioning project services from seawater air conditioning district cooling systems;

The Environment
HB1087, HD1, which establishes a task force on field-constructed underground storage tanks in Hawaii, and changes the amount of the tax deposited into the Environmental Response Revolving Fund from five cents per barrel to an unspecified amount to support environmental activities and programs;

HB440, HD1, which appropriates funds to the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for projects related to watershed management plans, equipment for fire, natural disaster and emergency response, and forest and outdoor recreation improvement;

HB438, HD1, which appropriates funds to the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission for restoration and preservation projects;

HB444, HD3, which expands the scope of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' Beach Restoration Plans and Beach Restoration Special Fund to include beach conservation and allocates funds from the Transient Accommodations Tax for beach restoration and conservation;

HB620, HD2, which prohibits labeling of a plastic product as compostable unless it meets ASTM D6400 standards (American Society for Testing Materials);

HB722, HD2, which establishes a Lipoa Point Management Council within the state Department of Land and Natural Resources for the development of Lipoa Point, and appropriates moneys for land surveyor services, maintenance services and development of a master plan;

HB1141, HD2, which prohibits new installation of a cesspool and new construction served by a cesspool after December 31, 2016, and authorizes the state Department of Health to develop rules for exceptions;

HB749, which imposes on wholesalers and dealers a beach clean-up cigarette fee per cigarette sold, used or possessed, and establishes and allocates monies generated to the Beach Clean-Up Special Fund for litter removal from beach land;

University of Hawaii
HB540, HD1, which seeks to improve the accounting and fiscal management system of the University of Hawaii by requiring the Board of Regents to submit to the Legislature before the end of each fiscal quarter a fiscal program performance report;

Financial Stability
HB171, HD1, which appropriates funds for fiscal year 2015-2016 to be deposited into the Hurricane Reserve Trust Fund;

HB172, HD1, which appropriates funds for fiscal year 2015-2016 to be deposited into the Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund;

HB1102, HD1, which requires the state Department of Taxation to conduct a study on modernizing the state tax collection system and submit a report to the legislature;

HB1356, which establishes the Rate Stabilization Reserve Fund to stabilize the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund when there is insufficient money to cover the costs of providing benefits to employee-beneficiaries and dependent-beneficiaries, and caps employer contributions to the separate trust fund when the separate accounts for each public employer within the separate trust fund have a combined balance of at least $2 billion;

Women
HB456, HD1, which provides a safe mechanism for reporting complaints regarding domestic violence when a police officer is involved;

HB457, HD1, which appropriates funds for positions and materials to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013;

HB452, HD1, which appropriates funds to the Department of the Attorney General for statewide sexual assault counseling and support services for fiscal biennium 2015-2017 and, beginning with the 2017-2018 fiscal year, sets a minimum base budget of the state Department of the Attorney General for statewide sexual assault counseling and support services;

HB459, HD2, which specifies additional elements in Hawaii's existing sexuality health education law, including additional criteria regarding implementation of sexuality health education instruction, and requires the state Department of Education to provide certain types of sexuality health education information to the public and parents;

Kupuna
HB1195, HD1, which increases the capacity of Type 1 Expanded Adult Residential Care Homes from two to three nursing facility level residents;

HB600, HD1, which authorizes the state Department of Health to allow two private-pay individuals to be cared for in the same Community Care Foster Family home if certain requirements are met;

HB493, HD1, which appropriates funds for a permanent full-time director and permanent full-time faculty specialist position within the University of Hawaii Center on Aging;

HB492, which appropriates funds for the Judiciary to enter into contracts with community mediation centers for mediation services which can resolve disputes in a shorter timeframe and more economically than litigation and trial (Mediation serves two critical community needs: It increases access to justice for low income and vulnerable elderly residents to address legal disputes, and it provides the means to resolve family disputes, particularly those involving the care and needs of the elderly family member);

Consumer Protection
HB619, HD3, which clarifies standards and criteria for the Public Utilities Commission and Division of Consumer Advocacy to apply when determining whether to approve a sale, lease, assignment, mortgage, disposition, encumbrance, merger, or consolidation of an electric utility;

HB737, HD2, which limits the total number of property insurance policies that an insurer may annually non-renew in a lava zone in Hawaii County during a state of emergency to 5 percent of the insurer's policies in force, except for nonpayment of premiums or impairment of the insurer's financial soundness and bars moratoria on residential property insurance in a lava zone in Hawaii County during a state of emergency if property insurance would be otherwise unavailable;

HB268, HD2, which grants the director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs the power to issue cease and desist orders for the unlicensed practice of dentistry and for any other act or practice in violation of the dental licensing laws upon a specific determination that the failure to take such action may result in an immediate and unreasonable threat to personal safety or of fraud that jeopardizes or endangers the health or safety of patients or the public;

HB1384, HD2, which requires additional Land Use Commission review for permit plan applications for wind turbines with over 100 kilowatt capacity and located within three-quarters of a mile of residential, school, hospital or business property lines;

Social Safety Net
HB1377, HD1, which makes an appropriation to develop the specifications and pricing, as well as an implementation plan, for a web-based data system in the Early Intervention Section of the state Department of Health, and makes an appropriation for operating expenses and to establish one permanent coordinator position in the Children with Special Health Needs Branch of the Department of Health to improve social-emotional and behavioral outcomes for children birth to age five;

HB253, HD2, which authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines to persons between 14 and 17 years of age who have a valid prescription from the patient's medical home;

HB886, HD1, which extends the high-earner income tax brackets by an additional five years, raises the income tax credits provided to low-income households by the refundable food/excise tax credit and low-income household renter’s credit, and amends gross income thresholds for households qualifying for the low-income household renter’s credit;

HB1091, HD1, which increases the standard deduction and allowable personal exemption amounts for all filing statuses, and increases the number of exemptions that may be claimed by taxpayers who are 65 years of age or older and meet certain income requirements;

HB1295, HD1, which increases the low-income housing tax credit to 100 percent of the qualified basis for each building located in Hawaii;

BUSINESS AND THE ECONOMY

Agriculture
HB1042, which appropriates funds for grants-in-aid to the counties for assistance with identifying and mapping Important Agricultural Lands;

HB205, HD1, which includes traditional Hawaiian farming and small-scale farming to the objectives and policies for the economy to the Hawaii State Planning Act;

Invasive Species
HB482, HD 2, which establishes a full-time temporary program manager position in state Department of Agriculture for the Pesticide Subsidy Program;

Tourism
HB197, HD2, which amends amount of Transient Accommodations Tax revenues allocated to the counties from a specified sum to a percentage of the revenues collected for the counties to address visitor industry impacts on county services and tourism-related infrastructure;

HB825, HD1, which establishes licensing requirements and enforcement provisions for transient vacation rentals to be administered by the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs;

HB792, HD2, which amends the Hawaii Rules of Evidence to authorize nonresident property crime victims to testify in misdemeanor or petty misdemeanor property criminal proceedings by a live two-way video connection;

Economic Development
HB1454, HD2, which establishes a nonrefundable income tax credit for taxpayers who incur certain expenses for manufacturing products in Hawaii, starting with the taxable years beginning after December 31, 2015 (Sunsets January 1, 2023);

HB867, HD1, which authorizes the director of finance to issue general obligation bonds to support the Pacific International Space Center for exploration systems' basalt rebar initiative, including construction of a basalt rebar plant and engineering assessments of the manufactured basalt rebar;

HB1482, HD2, which establishes a crowdfunding exemption for limited intrastate investments between Hawaii residents and Hawaii businesses, limited to no more than $1,000,000 raised over a twelve month period, and no more than $5,000 per investor;

HB1282, HD1, which appropriates monies for an engineering assessment and study for establishing a laser optical communications ground station in Hawaii to be conducted jointly by the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

IMPROVING GOVERNMENT

Elections
HB124, HD2, which requires the Office of Elections to implement elections by mail in a county with a population less than 100,000 beginning with the primary election in 2016 (In 2018, elections by mail will be held in one or more counties with a population of more than 100,000) and, thereafter, requires all federal, state, and county primary, special primary, general, special general and special elections to be conducted by mail;

HB15, HD1, which creates a statewide standard for the distribution of absentee ballots;

HB376, HD2, which specifies that the Chief Election Officer is an at-will employee, requires Elections Commission to provide notice and reason for removal of a Chief Election Officer, requires a performance evaluation of the Chief Election Officer after a general election, and requires a public hearing on the Chief Election Officer's performance for purposes of considering reappointment;

HB401, HD2, which provides that all applicants for a new or renewed driver's license, provisional license, instructional permit or civil identification card must either clearly decline to register to vote or fill out the voter affidavit on their application before their application can be processed;

HB612, HD2, which prohibits disclosure of votes cast in a postponed election, authorizes discretionary withholding of election results unrelated to postponement, clarifies Governor's emergency postponement authority, and limits postponement period to seven days after an election;

Transparency in government
HB1491, HD2, which requires non-candidate committees making only independent expenditures to report whether their contributors of $10,000 or more are subject to disclosure reporting requirements and provide information about the contributor’s funding sources; and

HB180, HD1, which clarifies the requirements relating to the statement of expenditures of lobbyists to be filed for a special session.

A complete list of bills passed by the House to date is available on the Capitol website at: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/advreports/advreport.aspx?year=2015&report=deadline&active=true&rpt_type=firstCross&measuretype=HB&title=House%20Bills%20Crossed%20Over%20to%20the%20Senate