Akaka Bill UPDATE: House Committee CANCELS Thursday vote

Hawai'i Free Press

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Akaka Bill UPDATE: House Committee CANCELS Thursday vote
By Andrew Walden @ 11:30 AM :: 14919 Views :: Energy, Environment, National News, Ethics

by Andrew Walden (Posted 7-06-09--Updated 7-7-09 & 7-8-09)

UPDATE 4PM 7-8-09: House Minority press secretary Jill Strait reports that the Akaka Bill has been removed from the agenda for tomorrow's meeting of the US House Committee on Natural Resources.

More UPDATES: Hastings: Dept of Justice seeks changes in Akaka Bill , Akaka Bill UPDATE: House Committee CANCELS Thursday vote , Akaka Bill postponed: Dems balk at OHA cronies' demands for more loot

Balance of article is retained for reference purposes....

House minority staff report that the Akaka Bill, HR2314 Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act, is scheduled to be "marked up" by the US House Committee on Natural Resources Thursday, July 9th at 10AM EST (4AM Hawaii time).

The meeting will have a live audio and video webcast, which can be watched by going to the following link shortly before the meeting begins, or anytime during the meeting: http://tinyurl.com/bal5s7

The committee vote will be held at 10AM in room 1324 of the Longworth House Office Building. There is little doubt the committee will vote to send the bill to the full House. Amendments may be considered.

The latest version, HR2314 was introduced May 7, 2009 and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources which held a hearing on the bill June 11th. It has not been amended.

The US House has twice before approved previous versions of the Akaka Bill. President Obama has pledged to sign it if it reaches his desk.

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Text Akaka Bill: HR2314 / S1011.

NOTE (7-7-09): The announcement of the markup is posted on the full Committee site here...

http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_jcalpro&Itemid=54&extmode=view&extid=271

and ... it is on the Minority site HERE:

http://republicans.resourcescommittee.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?newsid=1842

MORE Updated 7-8-09:

OHA is pushing for amendments, (always an obscure sign of the Trustees' control-game over any future tribe) here are three links explaining what they are...

Advertiser June 5 article on amendments:

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090605/BREAKING01/90605074/OHA+trustees+vote+to+support+Akaka+Bill

Changing the definition of “Native Hawaiian” to include the 1778 definition to support a broader and more inclusive definition of “Native Hawaiian.”
Deleting all references to “Commission.” American Indians and Alaska Natives apparently have not been required to form such a commission and the role of the “commission” will be duplicative of what Native Hawaiians will be required to do themselves.
Reviewing sections of the bill that seek to address any claims of the Native Hawaiian people to determine necessary amendments. OHA stands ready to assist in the review.

OHA June 5 news release on amendments:

http://www.oha.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=963&Itemid=227

Apoliona June 11 testimony in front of Natural Resources Ctte:

Haunani Apoliona Written Testimony in support of HR 2314

Apoliona June 23 pitches amendments:

http://www.nativehawaiians.com/?p=29