Resolutions a sign that legislators are listening
HB1175: Small Victory Over Procedural Trap
Judicial Vacancy Kauai Fifth Circuit--Deadline Extended
Pay to Play Bill? Yamashita and Dela Cruz refused to “release” the measure
CB: … Itʻs hard to imagine a bleaker end to the Hawaiʻi Legislatureʻs conference committee period than what unfolded Friday night in Room 325 at the State Capitol.
Senate Judiciary Chair Karl Rhoads could barely bring himself to look up, leaving House Judiciary Chair David Tarnas to announce the death of their attempt to finally meaningfully address the pay-to-play corruption that infests Hawaiʻi politics.
Not in the room were the measureʻs silent assassins, House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, Senate President Ron Kouchi and the money committee chairs, Rep. Kyle Yamashita and Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz.
Nakamura and Kouchi had already watered down the proposal behind the scenes so that it basically wouldnʻt apply to legislators, without explaining their actions. Rhoads and Tarnas acquiesced to those changes in hopes of salvaging part of House Bill 371.
Then on Friday Yamashita and Dela Cruz refused to “release” the measure, which they should have no say over in the first place since it didn’t call for state appropriations. They too did not explain their actions….
(IDEA: Challenge this in court. How do two money chairs have control over non-financial bills?)
read … Why Do Legislative Leaders Refuse To Change The Old Way Of Doing Business? - Honolulu Civil Beat
SB1571 Approved by Conference Committee--changes oversight of Hawai’i Tourism Authority
SA: … Sen. Lynn DeCoite (D, Hana-East and Upcountry Maui-Molokai-Lanai-Kahoolawe), chair of the Senate Committee on Energy, Economic Development and Tourism, and chair of the Senate conferees for SB 1571 said Friday that the HTA bill “represents our efforts to improve and strengthen the organization.”
DeCoite acknowledged the hard work of Rep. Adrian Tam (D, Waikiki), chair of the House Committee on Tourism, who chaired the House conferees noting that “it’s been back and forth between the both of us.”
The conference draft eventually approved by conferees includes the following key changes, which go into effect if the bill becomes law:
>> Downgrades the HTA board to an advisory board.
>> Amends eligibility requirements to serve on the HTA advisory board.
>> Removes the director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development &Tourism from the board.
>> Requires a member of the board to represent a tourism-impacted entity.
>> Allows the House speaker and the Senate president to each appoint an HTA advisory board member.
>> Exempts all positions filled by HTA within DBEDT from the state civil service law.
>> Allows the HTA advisory board to appoint the HTA president and CEO, subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
>> Requires the HTA president and CEO to report to the governor.
>> Allows the HTA advisory board to set the term of the HTA president and CEO in the hiring contract.
DeCoite said that tourism is the biggest economic engine for Hawaii, and that the HTA must increase leadership and accountability “to rebuild public trust within our community.”
read … State bill would change oversight of Hawai’i Tourism Authority | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Legislators Refuse to Do Anything About Long Lines at Polling Places
CB: … After massive lines formed at voter service centers last Election Day, five bills would have required more of them to be open for final-day voting, especially on Oʻahu. None received a committee hearing….
2022: Long Lines Suppress Republican Votes on Election Day: City Clerk Plans to do it Again in 2024 (IQ Test: After reading that headline, do you know exactly why Legislators are refusing to do anything about the long lines?)
read … Why Do Legislative Leaders Refuse To Change The Old Way Of Doing Business? - Honolulu Civil Beat
‘Duke’s Law’ one step closer to reality in win against agricultural land crime
KHON: … Cranston Duke Pia, a 39-year-old Makaha farmer, was shot and killed by a trespasser on his ranch in February 2024. His death galvanized lawmakers to take action and Sen. Tim Richards, III spoke to Cranston’s mother in the months that followed.
“She was stoic but resolved and said, ‘Please don’t let this be for nothing.’ So, I gave her my word. I said, ‘I won’t let this go,'” Richards said.
That promise materialized into Duke’s Law, which passed through conference committee on April 26. The bill increases penalties for crimes committed on agricultural lands and creates a pilot program within the State Department of Law Enforcement with funds for drone tech, license plate recognition cameras and new positions.
“Two full-time state law enforcement investigator positions and six uniform state law enforcement officer positions for patrol on Oahu and Hawaii Island,” said Hawaii Farm Bureau Executive Director Brian Miyamoto. “Again, we’ve got now, law enforcement bodies dedicated to agriculture.”
Duke’s Law also targets repeat offenders by introducing harsher consequences….
read … ‘Duke’s Law’ one step closer to reality in win against agricultural land crime | KHON2
Just for Show: Hawaii lawmakers to vote on over 200 bills this week
SA: … Hawaii legislators are poised to take their final votes Wednesday on more than 200 bills, including measures that would fund an undercover unit to crack down on illegal fireworks, prevent Oahu’s next landfill from being built above an aquifer, ban the sale of assault rifles starting Jan. 1, and impose a minimum, 30-day jail sentence for drivers repeatedly cited for “excessive” speeding.
Other bills would increase the tax on hotel rooms and cruise ships to help the state respond to climate change and prevent wildfires; increase the cigarette tax by 2 cents; and provide funding to expand high school surf leagues in the birth place of surfing.
If approved by the full House and Senate Wednesday, the bills would go to Gov. Josh Green, who has already signed 27 new laws this year, including further tightening firearms requirements across the islands, which already have some of the strictest firearms laws in the country….
read … Hawaii lawmakers to vote on over 200 bills this week | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
Government gridlock on evacuation plan frustrates Leeward residents
SA: … Angela Lacey and other residents say they are disheartened as yet another year passes without local government addressing their pleas for an alternative escape route out of the area…
The threat of wildfires will only increase for the Leeward Coast over the hot, dry summer ahead.
“We are consistently the driest part of the state, so it’s only a matter of time,” said state Sen. Samantha DeCorte (R, Nanakuli-Waianae-Makaha).
In 2006, 13 utility poles fell onto Farrington Highway in Nanakuli during high winds, crashed onto 17 vehicles, injured two people and blocked traffic for hours.
Farrington Highway has been forced to shut down even when a single vehicle crashes into a utility pole and knocks it onto the highway.
But on normal days with no threat of a wildfire, tsunami or high winds, drivers can still spend five hours sitting in traffic going in and out of the Leeward Coast….
read … Government gridlock on evacuation plan frustrates Leeward residents | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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