2008 Legislature

[lavagal]

Let's start a thread to follow the Legislature, as they discuss issues near and dear to our hearts, and to also follow HT personalities (http://ilind.net/images_2008/blaine-2008-01-16.jpg)who get their photos taken there!
Who knew this guy was so CUTE? The photo was taken by Ian Lind and is at http://www.ilind.net/, one of my daily reads.

Anyway, there is a lot going on, and there will be issues that will never make it out of committee. Let's discuss.

And while there are HT folks infiltrating the halls of the Capital, we should expect to be kept up to speed on legislative issues!

[Adri]

I've been dismayed in the past few years at the number of "short form bills" (bills with only a title and no content) that get introduced. I understand the function they were supposed to serve but it seems that a few legislators (*cough*Hooser*cough but there have been other legislators in other years) introduce an inordinate amount of short form bills. I dunno, maybe Hooser decided to introduce all the short form bills the senators may need this year. But I dislike short form bills because it makes it harder to keep track of legislation and I think that if something is worthy of becoming a law, it should live or die on its own merits under its own bill without maneuvering by "gutting" other bills and inserting the dying content or stuffing short form bills.

[Glen Miyashiro]

The short form thing is like a type of "bait and switch" -- because you aren't getting what they said you were going to get. It's deceptive, and it reduces the public's opportunity to consider a proposal. :mad:

[AlohaKine]

I've been dismayed in the past few years at the number of "short form bills" (bills with only a title and no content) that get introduced. I understand the function they were supposed to serve but it seems that a few legislators (*cough*Hooser*cough but there have been other legislators in other years) introduce an inordinate amount of short form bills. I dunno, maybe Hooser decided to introduce all the short form bills the senators may need this year. But I dislike short form bills because it makes it harder to keep track of legislation and I think that if something is worthy of becoming a law, it should live or die on its own merits under its own bill without maneuvering by "gutting" other bills and inserting the dying content or stuffing short form bills.

Green has a bunch of blank short form "health" bills as well.

[lavagal]

This popped up on my Google Alerts today.
All I can say is: HANDS OFF MY DIET PEPSI MAX!!!

Hawaii Legislature Considers Ban on Artificial Sweetener ...
OpEdNews - Newtown,PA,USA (http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_stephen__080123_hawaii_legislature_c.htm)

[AlohaKine]

This popped up on my Google Alerts today.
All I can say is: HANDS OFF MY DIET PEPSI MAX!!!

Hawaii Legislature Considers Ban on Artificial Sweetener ...
OpEdNews - Newtown,PA,USA (http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_stephen__080123_hawaii_legislature_c.htm)

Let's see;
Ban smoking, next up
then ban transfat
then nutrasweet
then plastic bags
then ban styrofoam cups and lunchwagon plate lunch containers
then fireworks on new years
then leafblowers
then....

finally you reach the Taliban / California level with a ban on fun.

I sh*t you not, these are all introduced or passed bills here in Hawaii as of today.

[craigwatanabe]

Here's another bill that made it on the agenda after intense lobbying:

Act 259: Keiki First (http://www.act259.net/Report%20for%20Editing/Chapter%201%20Vision.aspx), an initative for comprehensive early learning system, basically an inititive for early childhood education.

Apparently after the whole June Jones fiasco with the UH's somewhat inferior athletic department's facilities, the 2008 State Legislature deemed it necessary to put Act 259 on the back burner to focus on this apparently more important issue of locker facilities.

With intense lobbying, Act 259 made it on the agenda. Imagine that if it wasn't for the intense lobbying efforts of those in the field of ECE (Early Childhood Education), this act wouldn't have made it on the agenda.

I say shame on our state legislature for attempting to deminish the importance of early childhood education in favor of athletic locker rooms at the UH considering it was a directive from the State Legislature to form this task force to develop ACT 259.

Watch out for this on the 2008 State of Hawaii Legislative session. This is a very important one for the future of Hawaii's keiki.

[craigwatanabe]

This popped up on my Google Alerts today.
All I can say is: HANDS OFF MY DIET PEPSI MAX!!!

Hawaii Legislature Considers Ban on Artificial Sweetener ...
OpEdNews - Newtown,PA,USA (http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_stephen__080123_hawaii_legislature_c.htm)


I wonder if Calvin Say read that one before siding with it? Well he must have since he's a Democrat and apparently this whole aspertame issue seems to be a Republican dupe on the public. Unbelievable. Hey did ya know LBJ was a major shareholder in Bell Helicopter when he escalated the Vietnam war. Didn't the War Department buy a lot of them too? Oh BTW Bell is owned by Textron another company shareheld by another Vice President.:rolleyes:

[Amati]

This thread has enormous potential to highlight legislative actions this session. I only spotted one other ongoing thread related to this session (a smoking topic thread). I checked that on the legislative website http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov and in the process learned that there is a new search option this year for reading testimony, online: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp , "show testimony".

Any other bills being followed by HTers?

(By the way, the link option on this HT site is great!)

[Amati]

Monday there will be a hearing about requiring minors [under 18] to wear helmets while riding on ATVs. Online has the testimony from a previous hearing on the bill, and only the HPD was opposed. Medical entities are all for the "prevention" of head injuries by the usage of helmets.
Previous testimony is at:
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus.asp?query=hb2364&currpage=1&showstatus=on&showtestimony=on
By the hearing on Monday, updated testimony should also be available.

Have you spotted any other interesting bills?

Did you know you can get hearing notices on a daily basis by going to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp
Just scroll about half-way down to "get today's hearing notices".

[salmoned]

Here's another bill that made it on the agenda after intense lobbying:

Act 259: Keiki First (http://www.act259.net/Report%20for%20Editing/Chapter%201%20Vision.aspx), an initative for comprehensive early learning system, basically an inititive for early childhood education.

Apparently after the whole June Jones fiasco with the UH's somewhat inferior athletic department's facilities, the 2008 State Legislature deemed it necessary to put Act 259 on the back burner to focus on this apparently more important issue of locker facilities.

With intense lobbying, Act 259 made it on the agenda. Imagine that if it wasn't for the intense lobbying efforts of those in the field of ECE (Early Childhood Education), this act wouldn't have made it on the agenda.

I say shame on our state legislature for attempting to deminish the importance of early childhood education in favor of athletic locker rooms at the UH considering it was a directive from the State Legislature to form this task force to develop ACT 259.

Watch out for this on the 2008 State of Hawaii Legislative session. This is a very important one for the future of Hawaii's keiki.

Personally, I believe Early Childhood Education belongs in the home and Not in the classroom. I don't support the Brave New World ethos of governmental cradle to grave coddling.

[glossyp]

HB2999 (http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/HB2999_.pdf) (link is to a pdf) is 16-pages of legislation designed to further deny law abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms. Best described as an "ominbus" bill, HPD has thrown everything they can come up with into the bill covering everything from confiscating legally owned and licensed firearms from citizens during times of natural disaster or national emergency to requiring the purchaser of ammunition to show proof that they own the gun they are purchasing ammo for - no more sending one person to purchase ammo for a hunting trip or getting a gift of ammo for a loved one. This bill will be in front of the Judiciary committee tomorrow. I'm particularly disturbed at the desire of the police to take away my firearms during times of disaster and emergency - right when you are most likely to actually need such protection. Of course, if I purchase my firearms illegally and never register them, they won't get confiscated. Once again, the gun-control laws will only negatively impact the law abiding citizen, not the criminal.

[Amati]

HB2999 (http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/HB2999_.pdf) (link is to a pdf) is 16-pages of legislation designed to further deny law abiding citizens the right to keep and bear arms.

The last sentence of the last page pertains to the government excepting [exempting] itself from liability. If the law is needed to "protect us", and liabilities built into the law, should not the government have the same liability as you and me?

[glossyp]

The last sentence of the last page pertains to the government excepting [exempting] itself from liability. If the law is needed to "protect us", and liabilities built into the law, should not the government have the same liability as you and me?
Clearly, the authors of the bill think it's possible that those in authority could do something harmful in the good faith pursuit of their duties (that's the best case reading of that sentence - cynics would see something more sinister), so they're willing to give the powers that be a pass. Not so for the lowly citizen. Is it fair? I don't think so.

[Amati]

Clearly, the authors of the bill think it's possible that those in authority could do something harmful in the good faith pursuit of their duties (that's the best case reading of that sentence - cynics would see something more sinister), so they're willing to give the powers that be a pass. Not so for the lowly citizen. Is it fair? I don't think so.

Wonder if this "pass" would have been handy for the upcoming lawsuit about the baby dying at the airport in immigration?
http://http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2008/Feb/12/ln/hawaii802120340.html
Even the government needs accountability.

[1stwahine]

I gave my testimony in front of the House Finance Committee this afternoon for HB2735 HD1.
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/HB2735_HD1_.htm

While waiting, I heard Mayor Kim of Hilo testify in favor of the Kaloko Housing Program on the Big Island. It was amazing to see County and so many from the Private sectors come together in support for Transitional Housing. If only those on Oahu could be like the Big Island and work together. :rolleyes:

Auntie Lynn

[1stwahine]

HB2735 HD1 passed with amendments.:D

Auntie Lynn

[craigwatanabe]

Mayor Kim is one passionate Mayor. Even those who didn't vote for him love the guy for his committment to the Big Island.

One thing about the Big Island is it's vast ruralness and the ability to virutally live off the Aina so our homeless population is a very latent one. You could buy an old Chevy Van or a VW Camper van and drive it deep into any of our vast Ohia forests and live there unimpeded by society. With wild pigs abound, fruiting trees and untamed ocean shores to fish, it's not that hard to live off the land.

But we still do have a growing homeless population as rentals are sold to home buyers forcing those on low-income or subsidy support to find alternative shelter for their families. Just this past holiday season I let a family of three stay at my home for a couple of months until they could find another place to live.

Here on the Big Island there are many support agencies that have banded together to help each other. Billy Kanoi (Mayor Kim's second in command) has partnered with many non-profits to share resources and help our needy here on this island.

We need to help those who are deprived because one day it could be one of us on the other end asking for help.

[Konaguy]

I found this bill (http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB2641_SD1_.htm) deeply perplexing. Especially since it would only cover lands will A or B soils. Take the Big Island for example, there is over 1 million acres in the Agriculture district. 96% of the land is non-prime (c,d,e, u soils). So this moratorium would do little to prevent development in the agriculture district.

FYI, Maui's Agriculture district lands is classified as 79% non-prime, 75% on Kauai and 66% on Oahu.

[Adri]

I found this bill (http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/bills/SB2641_SD1_.htm) deeply perplexing. Especially since it would only cover lands will A or B soils. Take the Big Island for example, there is over 1 million acres in the Agriculture district. 96% of the land is non-prime (c,d,e, u soils). So this moratorium would do little to prevent development in the agriculture district.

FYI, Maui's Agriculture district lands is classified as 79% non-prime, 75% on Kauai and 66% on Oahu.

I don't know about that bill in particular. I haven't looked into its background or any testimonies provided about it. But sometimes when a bill is "oddly" drafted, it's drafted that way so the law only applies to a specific area or a specific company without coming right out and naming the area or the company to which the bill applies.

[glossyp]

I paid my very first visit to the Capitol yesterday to sit in as the House Judiciary Committee tried to resurrect HB2999 (see post #12). I got there early so I could look around the building and I liked how the space is laid out around the courtyard with big open walkways on each floor. The view upwards is quite impressive.

The committee room started to fill up a few minutes before 2:45pm. By 3pm the committee was unable to seat a quorum as only the most anti-Second Amendment representatives showed up and the bill died. The room broke out in applause. It was a good day for our constitutional rights. It is also a reminder that citizens engaging the legislators on the issues is imperative. As a gentleman at the hearing told me, "Politicians bury the unorganized."

An interesting side note was the appearance of a snowy-haired eldery gentleman with a beautifully carved cane who distributed copies of the Constitution to committee members and the HPD representative.

[Konaguy]

Apparently there is a bill that would raise the amount of merchandise that can be stolen before its serious crime from 300.00 to 1,000. On top of that Tommy Waters bill would downgrade the penalty for assaulting a security guard from a Class C Felony. I haven't had a chance to investigate this further. But on face value, this bill stinks.

[Menehune Man]

Apparently there is a bill that would raise the amount of merchandise that can be stolen before its serious crime from 300.00 to 1,000. On top of that Tommy Waters bill would downgrade the penalty for assaulting a security guard from a Class C Felony. I haven't had a chance to investigate this further. But on face value, this bill stinks.

assaulting a security guard!!!

Why and what reasoning could make the offense of "Assauting a security guard" deserving of a lesser penalty than it is???

How 'bout that security guard at 500 University Ave. recently?
He was almost thrown off a high floor.

Security Guards are hired to do what they can to protect the people and contents of whatever establishment they work at.
I think it should be harsher punishment for messing with them/me. Since I do the that job too!

That's terrible legislation!

[Konaguy]

There was segment on KITV about two days ago which detailed Tommy Waters proposed bill. But they didn't post it on their website :mad:.I'm going to try to find out out more about this terrible legislation.

I was able to find the segment below :

http://www.kitv.com/video/15454166/index.html?taf=hon

Below is the link to the proposed amendments and bill status :

http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus2.asp?billno=HB3041
http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2008/Bills/HB3041_HD1_.htm

[Konaguy]

Below is testimony I sent to the House Judiciary committee (http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/house/comm/commJUD.asp)

Aloha,

It is a huge travesty that HB3041 has gotten this far. If this bill passes, Hawaii stores will be open season for shoplifters. On top of that, security guards which are the primary defense against shoplifters, will have less legal protection. Overall, in my opinion, if a shoplifter uses force to commit his or her crime, they should face the full force of the law.

This proposed legislation is another example of Hawaii’s legislature being soft on criminals. Thus the ultimate losers will be all of Hawaii’s law abiding citizens. Who will have to pay higher costs because businesses will have recoup their losses.

As I end this testimony, I listened to Representative Waters talk about fairness when explaining this proposed legislation. He should try telling that to the security guard who was nearly killed by a burglar recently.

Aloha,
Aaron Stene

[mel]

Rep. Waters also killed the "Karen's Law" bills in his committee. These bills would have allowed for minors who commit heinous crimes like murder to be prosecuted as adults.

Bill information & links

http://tinyurl.com/38ulds

http://tinyurl.com/2ndo45

[Konaguy]

Mel, I think you'd be interested in this article (http://www.hawaiireporter.com/story.aspx?5a37fc03-327b-4cd8-aca3-3e2dcd72668a) about Rep. Waters. He has bottled up a lot of important legislation.

[Konaguy]

The very good news is the fact HB3041 (http://capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/getstatus2.asp?billno=HB3041) is dead this session. So thieves won't be able to steal 1,000 of merchandise or assault a security guard and not be charged with a felony for another year.

[1stwahine]

It's a busy day for me tomorrow.

Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2008

SB 2141 – RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING

Prohibits the consumption of any liquor on any public sidewalk or common area within a public housing project.

Time: 8:30 a.m. Room: 329

Testimony can be sent to HSHtestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov

HB 1984 HD1 – RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING

Prohibits the consumption of any liquor on any public sidewalk or common area within a public housing project.

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Rm. 016

And

HB 2735 HD 2 – RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING

Appropriates funds for the contract hiring of at least three full‑time security guards, police officers, or public safety officers with police powers at Mayor Wright Homes public housing complex. Requires a report to the Legislature on the progress of security improvements at Mayor Wright Homes. Effective 7/1/2020.

Committee: Senate Committee on Human Services and Public Housing

Time: 2:30 p.m.

Rm. 016

[anapuni808]

your posting says the security officers would be effective in the year 2020? How could that possibly help matters now? please tell me it was a typo :p

[1stwahine]

your posting says the security officers would be effective in the year 2020? How could that possibly help matters now? please tell me it was a typo :p

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I copied and pasted.

Das wat it says.

Too funny...not my typo.:p

Mahalo,

Lynn

[mel]

1. Dead - no bill can be safely called "dead" until the session ends. While the crime bill itself is technically dead, the contents of that bill can sometimes be moved to another bill still making it through the process.

2. Defective Dates - If you go through many bills you will notice effective dates are like for 2025, 2050, 2190 or some other number way off in the future. This is done intentionally during the process to further comment on the legislation as it makes its way through committee. Once the committee decides they like the bill, they may put in the true effective date, usually July 1, 2008, January 1, 2009 or somewhere closer. In many cases this does not happen until conference committee.

[anapuni808]

Mel, thanks for the explanation. I have to say I was kind of shocked seeing that date - kind of made the bill seem pointless. I'm glad to know the date would be changed.

[1stwahine]

So much I need to learn. ;)

Mahalo,

Lynn

[1stwahine]

One after another we went up in support of SB 2141. Many submitted written testimonies. Then a LT of HPD came forward to testify against SB 2141.:eek:

We listened as Rep. Karl Rhoads asked him questions.

Shaking our heads in disbelief of his arrogance and stupid answers.

The man had no shame.:rolleyes:

What a disgrace to HPD.:mad:

Auntie Lynn

[1stwahine]

Governor Linda Lingle signed:
ACT 034 (08)
SB2141 HD1
Signed: April 24, 2008
RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.
Includes sidewalks and other common areas of public housing projects as areas in which the consumption of alcohol is prohibited by law.

To watch this from the beginning...WOW!:D

Auntie Lynn

[1stwahine]

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii121/1stwahine3/lynn1259.jpg
Took dis in da Gov's Office on the 5th floor at State Capitol! Big Desk. Bumbucha Seal. :D

Auntie Lynn aka Auntie Pupule