HAWAIʻI STATE LEGISLATURE PROVIDES ADDITIONAL $60 MILLION FOR BIG ISLAND DISASTER RELIEF

Lawmakers move bill quickly to provide support for devastated Puna residents

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Knowing the tremendous need of Big Island residents following the devastating Kilauea eruption that destroyed homes, farms, and infrastructure last year, lawmakers moved quickly this session to provide financial support by passing HB 1180 HD1.

During a press conference today, Big Island lawmakers talked about the road to recovery for Hawaiʻi Island.

REPRESENTATIVE GATES SAYS HDOT'S VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED PROPOSAL IS UNFAIR TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST OʻAHU

Representative Cedric Asuega Gates (Waiʻanae, Mākaha, Mākua, Māʻili) is urging West Oʻahu residents to make their voices heard at two upcoming meetings about the proposed Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) initiative being conducted by the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT).

"The HDOT is looking into the concept of a road usage charge system to generate more funds for road maintenance. I want to clarify that I am against this road usage charge system," said Rep. Gates. "The road usage charge system would charge individuals a tax that would correspond with how many miles they drive each year. Because they drive so far every day, the residents of the Wai‘anae coast would have to pay the highest fees for this new road usage charge system."

REPRESENTATIVE HAR PRESENTS KAPOLEI KEIKI WELLNESS RESOURCE FAIR

WHO:             Representative Sharon Har, 42nd House District (Kapolei, Makakilo)

WHAT:          KAPOLEI KEIKI WELLNESS RESOURCE FAIR

                        Representative Sharon Har, in partnership with Kapolei High School, will be hosting the Kapolei Keiki Wellness Resource Fair. We have partnered with businesses and community service providers to create a one-stop shop for parents and families to obtain information on raising healthy, safe, and well keiki.

Over 40 participants are confirmed for this annual event. Event highlights include free keiki IDs, vision check-ups, games, activities, and giveaways. Children and families island-wide are invited to attend.

PRESS CONFERENCE ON BILL TO PROVIDE HAWAIʻI ISLAND DISASTER FUNDING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SESSION

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island representatives and senators and Hawaiʻi County councilmembers will hold a press conference to discuss HB 1180 HD1 – the Hawaiʻi Island disaster relief funding bill. The bill is scheduled for third reading in the Senate on March 29.

The press conference will be held at 1 p.m. in room 445, immediately following House and Senate sessions.

LAWMAKERS HOST TALK ABOUT FOOD SAFETY WITH US FOOD AND DRUG AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Representative Lynn DeCoite, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, and the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension are sponsoring an informational meeting on food safety and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance with visiting FDA representatives Mark Chen, Stephen Hughes, and Stelios Viazis. Agricultural stakeholders have been invited for a meaningful dialogue with FDA officials.

The meeting is open to the public. RSVP encouraged due to room capacity. To register, contact Rebecca Crall at Rep. DeCoite's office at (808) 586-6790 or r.crall@capitol.hawaii.gov, or register online: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/fbadb5e5f4dc4a5034538d7d4481ef37

LEGISLATURE GIVES EARLY APPROVAL FOR THE STATE BUDGET BILL

Priorities include new state hospital staff, airport improvements, debt service payments

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House and the Senate today approved a final version of HB 2 HD1 SD 1 CD1, the state budget bill, which includes operating monies to run the state government. The bill puts a priority on appropriating funds to staff the new state hospital, make needed improvements at state airports, and pay down our debt service.

The House Finance Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee met in conference last week to finalize the bill. Conferees approved the $16 billion budget covering fiscal years 2020 and 2021 about a month earlier than in previous legislative sessions.

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO DECRIMINALIZE LIMITED CANNABIS POSSESSION

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today (March 7) the House of Representatives passed HB1383 HD2, which decriminalizes the possession of three or less grams of cannabis and instead establishes a fine of $200.

"This law keeps drug dealers behind bars where they belong, but also keeps regular people who just had a joint out of jail to avoid creating more hardened criminals which makes crime worse," said Representative Chris Lee, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and introducer of the measure. "It removes the unnecessary permanent mark from their record so they can go back to school, get a better job, and take care of their family. If we want to actually reduce crime and reduce substance abuse, then our taxpayer dollars are more effectively spent on treatment rather than jailing people at a cost of $146 per person per day."

HOUSE LEADERSHIP DETAILS ELECTIONS AND ETHICS REFORM BILLS

Judiciary Chair Chris Lee (at podium) discusses the House bills passed to support good governance at a press conference today with House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (from left), Finance Chair Sylvia Luke, Vice Speaker Mark M. Nakashima, Representative Chris Todd, and Representative Stacelynn K.M. Eli. 

Representatives say bills also address money in politics, fight public corruption

 
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – House Leadership and Representatives gathered today to discuss a package of more than a dozen bills passed out of the House this session designed to reform elections, address money in politics, and fight public corruption.

“We are making it our priority to take proactive steps to ensure public confidence in our elections process and government,” said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki.

“These bills represent the most significant reforms in Hawaiʻi’s elections and ethics laws in a generation," said House Judiciary Chair Chris Lee, introducer of a number of the bills. "They will engage new voters, resolve election recounts, and prevent questions over conflicts of interest and money in politics here in Hawaiʻi that currently plague Washington, D.C.”

HOUSE PASSES 169 BILLS ON THIRD READING FOCUSING ON GOOD GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS, HOMELESSNESS, EDUCATION

As the 2019 Legislative Session nears its crossover deadline this week, the House of Representatives has passed nearly 500 bills during a productive session focused on good government, homelessness, and education.

Majority Leader Della Au Belatti said significant bills have been passed this session regarding campaign finance reform, elections issues, ending public corruption, and important social and economic issues including minimum wage, sea level change, and replacing the Aloha Stadium.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MOVES 197 BILLS ON ELECTION REFORM, CLIMATE CHANGE, MINIMUM WAGE, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, CRIME, TAXES TO THE SENATE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed 197 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. The bills include measures on election reform, climate change and the environment, minimum wage, education, public safety, crime, taxes, and other important issues.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MOVES 127 BILLS ON HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS, DISASTER RELIEF, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND FIREARMS TO THE SENATE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed 127 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. The bills include disaster relief for Hawaiʻi Island for damages and losses caused by the eruption of Kilauea volcano, homelessness, health, public safety, firearms, and other important issues.