COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION & COMMERCE

 

Monday, March 10, 2008

2:00 p.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

 

AGENDA:

 

SB 2292

(SSCR2104)

 

RELATING TO AUTOMATED TELLER MACHINES.

Requires that an agreement to operate or share an automated teller machine may not prohibit, limit, or restrict the right of the owner or operator of the automated teller machine to charge a customer transaction fee.

 

CPC

SB 2191, SD2

(SSCR2750)

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES.

Requires the public utilities commission to study one priority region for each county statewide to develop with input from the utilities a plan for the undergrounding of overhead utility lines for health and safety purposes.  Funds for the study shall be appropriated out of the public utilities commission special fund.  (SB2191 SD2)

 

CPC, FIN

SB 2770, SD1

(SSCR2614)

 

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE.

Exempts motor vehicle insurers from being required to make available to the insured, at the insured's option, personal injury protection benefits through managed care, if there are fewer than 5 managed care providers or equivalent entities within 25 miles of the claimant.  (SD1)

 

CPC

SB 2315, SD2

(SSCR2774)

 

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Recognizes that a reciprocal insurer and its attorney-in-fact shall be considered as a single entity for tax purposes and not be subject to general excise taxes in order to avoid the effect of double taxation.  (SB2315 SD2)

 

CPC, FIN

SB 2314, SD1

(SSCR2613)

 

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows an exception for small insurers with less than five per cent of the health insurance market share to offer different types of benefits in a single unified policy.  (SD1)

 

CPC, JUD, FIN

SB 2407, SD1

(SSCR2301)

 

RELATING TO REAL ESTATE APPRAISALS.

Prohibits financial institutions and mortgage brokers with an interest in a real estate transaction involving an appraisal from improperly influencing the reporting, result, or review of a real estate appraisal.  (SD1)

 

CPC, JUD

SB 2454, SD1

(SSCR2108)

 

RELATING TO MORTGAGE FORECLOSURES.

Requires a mortgagee to provide the telephone number of an attorney located and licensed in Hawaii as the contact individual, and authorizes this individual to provide information to qualified callers.  (SD1)

 

CPC, JUD

SB 3196

(SSCR2639)

 

RELATING TO LEASE TO FEE CONVERSION.

Grants lessees a right of first refusal contingent upon a lessor displaying an objective intent to sell or its acceptance of an offer to purchase.

 

CPC

SB 2627, SD1

(SSCR2674)

 

RELATING TO COPPER PURCHASES.

Requires scrap dealers and recyclers to pay for copper purchases by check.  (SD1)

 

CPC, JUD

SB 2782, SD2

(SSCR2607)

 

RELATING TO METAL.

Includes stainless steel beverage containers in laws intended to prevent theft and resale of copper. (SD2)

 

CPC, JUD

Decision making to follow.

 

 


COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS CONCERNS

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

8:30 a.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

 

AGENDA:

 

SB 2394

(SSCR2887)

 

RELATING TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY.

Clarifies awards procedures for federal small business innovation research grants or federal small business technology transfer program grants.

 

EDB, FIN

SB 2480, SD2

(SSCR2844)

 

RELATING TO TECHNOLOGY WORKFORCE AND DEVELOPMENT.

Establishes the science, technology, and education special fund.  Amends Act 111, SLH 2007, to redirect deposit of the fiscal year 2008-2009 appropriation into the science, technology, and education special fund.  Amends Act 111 and 271, SLH 2007 by appropriating additional funds in fiscal year 2008-2009 for the support and expansion of existing STEM-related programs such as robotics, research experiences for teachers, and project EAST programs.  Appropriates moneys from the federal temporary assistance for needy families program funds and from general funds for STEM programs and K-12 creative media education programs.  (SB2480 SD2)

 

EDB, HED/HSH, FIN

SB 2530, SD2

(SSCR2595)

 

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

Requires group health issuers to offer small group health plans to self-employed individuals who are licensed by the department of commerce and consumer affairs and are located in the group issuer's service areas.  Authorizes the insurance commissioner to exempt certain group health plans based on specified criteria.  Allows limits on timing of enrollment and reenrollment to control adverse selection and plan costs.  Repeals on 7/1/13.  (SD2)

 

EDB, CPC, FIN

SB 2824, SD2

(SSCR2814)

 

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires private moneys received by the State to cover costs and expenses of state-sponsored trips and goodwill endeavors be deposited into the general fund.  Clarifies that comptroller serves as ex-officio nonvoting member of state procurement policy board.  Requires the state procurement office to audit state purchasing agencies to ensure compliance with procurement code and appropriates funds.  Requires the auditor to conduct an audit of the state procurement office to ensure compliance with the Hawaii public procurement code. (SB2824 SD2)

 

EDB, LMG, FIN

SB 2825, SD1

(SSCR2303)

 

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires that any determination of a procurement corrective action be complied with within 30 days or the governmental body's procurement officer shall be subject to an administrative fine; provides the administrator of the state procurement office to extend the 30 day time period; makes comptroller ex-officio nonvoting member of procurement board.  (SD1)

 

EDB, JUD

SB 2826, SD2

(SSCR2747)

 

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Clarifies that comptroller serves as ex-officio nonvoting member of state procurement policy board.  Requires state procurement officers to attend procurement training developed and maintained by the state procurement office.  Makes training elective for county procurement officials.  (SB2826 SD2)

 

EDB, CPC

SB 2867, SD2

(SSCR2823)

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII PUBLIC PROCUREMENT CODE.

Provides sanctions for false information or misrepresentation submitted by a bidder or a subcontractor of the bidder to obtain a procurement contract.  (SD2)

 

EDB, JUD

SB 2169, SD1

(SSCR2105)

 

RELATING TO LIQUOR LICENSES.

Establishes winery class of liquor license.  Authorizes wineries to sell wine for consumption off-premises.  (SD1)

 

EDB, CPC

SB 2088, SD1

(SSCR2885)

 

RELATING TO ADVANCED FLIGHT SIMULATOR TRAINING.

Adds businesses engaged in advanced flight simulator training for pilots, dispatchers, mechanics, or air traffic controllers to the definition of "qualified business" under the state enterprise zone law.  (SD1)

 

EDB, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

 

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES & HOUSING

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

8:30 a.m.

Conference Room 329; State Capitol

 

AGENDA:

 

SB 2141

(SSCR2621)

 

RELATING TO PUBLIC HOUSING.

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

 

HSH, JUD

SB 3060, SD2

(SSCR2743)

 

RELATING TO HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY EVICTIONS BOARDS.

Allows the Hawaii public housing authority to hold eviction hearings without the tenant member of the authority's eviction boards present if quorum is met.  Eff. 7/1/2050. (SD2)

 

HSH, JUD

SB 2837, SD1

(SSCR2630)

 

RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTS.

Clarifies "qualified expenditures" to include one motor vehicle for purchase for school or work; clarifies income of household as an amount determined by the DHS; requires the DHS to provide technical and administrative assistance to fiduciary organizations; deletes reference to making grants to for each individual development account; requires state make match for qualified expenditures in a ratio as determined by the DHS; requires fiduciary organization to report to DHS rather than the legislature; deletes reference to ten per cent limit on using appropriations for administrative expenses; appropriates funds for fiduciary organizations to operate individual development accounts.  (SD1)

 

HSH, FIN

SB 2839, SD2

(SSCR2581)

 

RELATING TO FINANCIAL EDUCATION.

Establishes a public financial education and asset building task force; makes an appropriation.  (SB2839 SD2)

 

HSH, FIN

SB 2214, SD2

(SSCR2762)

 

RELATING TO BRIDGE TO HOPE PROGRAM.

Expands the bridge to hope program to enable all heads of household in the first-to-work program to pursue education beyond the federal limit of one year of vocational education.  (SB2214 SD2)

 

HSH, FIN

SB 2730, SD2

(SSCR2869)

 

RELATING TO CHILD PROTECTION.

Establishes a grandparent, or other appropriate relative, preference for out-of-home placement of children needing child protective services.  (SD2)

 

HSH, JUD

SB 1343, SD1

(SSCR881)

 

RELATING TO THE PENAL CODE.

Amends the offenses of Assault in the Second Degree, and Terroristic Threatening in the First Degree to include conduct committed against victims who the courts and police are attempting to keep safe with protective orders. (SD1)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 2054, SD2

(SSCR2868)

 

RELATING TO FAMILY COURT.

Amends best interest of the child criteria and procedures to specify what factors the courts shall consider in making a custody or visitation determination concerning a minor child.  Eff. 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

HSH, JUD

SB 2055, SD2

(SSCR2867)

 

RELATING TO FAMILY COURT.

Establishes the procedures and requirements for child custody evaluator training and certification.  Eff. 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 2150, SD2

(SSCR2783)

 

RELATING TO ADULT PROTECTION.

Expands the adult protective services law by extending protections to vulnerable adults.  Appropriates funds to the department of human services.  (SB2150 SD2)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 3050, SD1

(SSCR2671)

 

RELATING TO ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

Expands the list of persons mandated to report known or suspected abuse of vulnerable adults to include caregivers and the entity or agency designated by the governor to provide advocacy services to persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness.  (SD1)

 

HSH, JUD

SB 2218, SD1

(SSCR2693)

 

 

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC MONITORING.

Requires electronic monitoring of persons convicted of violating a domestic abuse temporary restraining order or protective order.  Effective 01/01/09.  (SB2218 SD1)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 2715, SD1

(SSCR2804)

 

RELATING TO COURT-APPOINTED COUNSEL AND GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN FAMILY COURT.

Clarifies compensation rates for court-appointed attorneys and guardians ad litem in family court.  (SB2715 SD1)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 2886, SD1

(SSCR2706)

 

RELATING TO CHILD ABANDONMENT.

Increases child abandonment to a class C felony and renames the offense to child abandonment in the first degree.  Establishes the offense of child abandonment in the second degree and makes it a misdemeanor to abandon a child by leaving the child with a person in reckless disregard of the risk that the person is not who the person claims to be or has no ascertainable address. Eff. July 1, 2050.  (SD1)

 

HSH, JUD

SB 2212, SD1

(SSCR2713)

 

RELATING TO CRIME.

Enables prosecution of human trafficking under Hawaii law by creating new offense of sexual exploitation of a minor, amending existing kidnapping, extortion, and prostitution offenses, and including sexual exploitation of a minor in definition of racketeering.  Eliminates distinction between minors under 18 and minors under 16 for purposes of promoting prostitution.  Makes victims of sexual exploitation of a minor and promoting prostitution in the first degree eligible for crime victim compensation.  Eff. July 1, 2050. (SD1)

 

HSH, JUD

SB 2818, SD2

(SSCR2859)

 

RELATING TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING.

Extends the sunset date for the Hawaii Anti-trafficking Task Force to 2010.  Adds members to the Task Force.  Appropriates funds.  (SB2818 SD2)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 2977, SD1

(SSCR2881)

 

RELATING TO CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT.

Changes the law relating to child support enforcement agency notification in some circumstances to custodial parents.  Establishes a child support enforcement agency assistant administrator.  Clarifies rules relating to some child support enforcement agency hearings and related matters. (SB2977 SD1)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 3051, SD2

(SSCR2733)

 

RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS.

Authorizes the department of human services to conduct criminal history record checks on persons providing services to vulnerable adults and children.  Eff. 7/1/2050.  (SD2)

 

HSH, JUD, FIN

SB 3061

(SSCR2298)

 

RELATING TO THE FIRST-TO-WORK PROGRAM.

Conforms state law to current federal law by deleting references to the Aid to Families with Dependent Children and Job Opportunities and Basic Skills Act and replaces it with the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families law.

 

HSH, LAB, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

 

 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 312; State Capitol

 

AGENDA:

 

SB 3001, SD2

(SSCR2788)

 

RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

Clarifies provisions of chapter 269, part VII, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the administration and use of moneys supporting energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services.  (SD2)

 

EEP, CPC, FIN

SB 3082, SD1

(SSCR2587)

 

RELATING TO CRUISE SHIPS.

Transfers the cruise ship air emission provisions from HRS, chapter 342D, Water Pollution, to HRS, chapter 342B, Air Pollution Control.  (SD1)

 

EEP, TAC/TRN, FIN

SB 2841

(SSCR2522)

 

RELATING TO THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM.

Requires retail dealers with more than 75,000 square feet of retail space to operate redemption centers.  Effective 10/1/08.

 

EEP, CPC, FIN

SB 2843, SD2

(SSCR2826)

 

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING.

Establishes a state program for collection, recycling, enforcement, and monitoring of covered electronic devices; establishes program funding through the environmental management special fund.  (SB2843 SD2)

 

EEP, EDB, FIN

SB 2571, SD1

(SSCR2682)

 

RELATING TO FOOD WASTE RECYCLING.

Requires the department of education, in a partnership with the department of health, to establish a three-year food waste recycling pilot project within one or more public schools.  Appropriates funds from the environmental management special fund for the pilot program.  (SD1)

 

EEP, EDN, FIN

SB 2991, SD2

(SSCR2599)

 

RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES.

To comprehensively address deficiencies in Hawaii's energy resources coordination statutes.  Provide policy guidance needed to provide adequate detail on the nature and relationship of the energy data analyses functions of the state energy resources coordinator and energy program. (SB2991 SD2)

 

EEP, CPC, FIN

SB 2932, SD3

(SSCR2856)

 

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE TAX.

Increases the state environmental response tax on petroleum in order to increase funding available for energy conservation, alternative energy development, global warming initiatives, and other programs pursuant to chapter 128D, HRS. (SB2932 SD3)

 

EEP, EDB, FIN

SB 2845, SD2

(SSCR2821)

 

RELATING TO REORGANIZATION OF STATE AGENCIES.

Directs the legislative reference bureau to research the responsibilities of state agencies that are integral to achieving state energy objectives; identify any duplication or deficiency in the state agencies' responsibilities; research how other states address similar deficiencies in the administration of their energy policies; and make recommendations regarding how the state agencies can be reorganized to advance the long‑term energy strategy.  (SB2845 SD2)

 

EEP, LMG, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

 


COMMITTEE ON LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

 

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 309; State Capitol

 

AGENDA:

 

SB 3005, SD2

(SSCR2785)

 

RELATING TO FEDERAL TAX QUALIFICATION OF THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Repeals the provisions that (1) make ERS membership by elective officers optional and (2) allow elective officers and judges to withdraw from ERS membership by nominally retiring even though they remain in office.  Provides for service by retirants as elective officers without suspension of retirement benefits.  (SB3005 SD2)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 3004, SD2

(SSCR2784)

 

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Requires government employers to provide information to the ERS electronically.  Provides for direct deposit of refunds and other lump sum payments.  Clarifies that contributions for unpaid leaves are required for service credit.  Conforms provision re compensation of ERS member on military leave to USERRA.  Conforms provisions to comply with federal tax law changes affecting the hybrid plan. (SB3004 SD2)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 2039, SD1

(SSCR2690)

 

RELATING TO THE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM.

Provides for a one time lump sum payment for retirees at least 75 years of age who have been in retirement at least 20 years.  Makes appropriation.  (SB2039 SD1)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 2876

(SSCR2623)

 

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT SECURITY.

Appropriates funds for fiscal year 2008-09 in Reed Act funds for services of the unemployment insurance and workforce development divisions.

 

LAB, FIN

SB 2262, SD1

(SSCR2672)

 

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Extends the sunset date to 7/1/2011, for voluntary employees' beneficiary association trusts pilot program established pursuant to Act 245, Session Laws of Hawaii 2005, as amended.  (SB2262 SD1)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 2594, SD1

(SSCR2714)

 

RELATING TO LABOR.

Allows certified representation of an appropriate collective bargaining employee unit that does not have a certified representation when a majority of the employees validly authorizes the representation.  Requires immediate collective bargaining between parties once entities are certified as exclusive representatives.  (SD1)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 3087, SD1

(SSCR2670)

 

RELATING TO CONTRACTOR SUSPENSION ON PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS.

Suspends contractors found to be in violation of the public works procurement law for falsification of records or delaying an investigation under the wage and hour law.  (SD1)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 3088

(SSCR2626)

 

RELATING TO THE LABOR AND INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS APPEALS BOARD.

Authorizes the Labor and Industrial Relations Appeals Board (Board) to employ a hearings officer, as well as to allow that hearings officer to hold a hearing, in order for the Board to expedite hearings on certain workers' compensation matters.

 

LAB, FIN

SB 2395, SD2

(SSCR2870)

 

RELATING TO LANGUAGE ACCESS.

Clarifies definitions relating to language access.  Expands language access advisory council membership to include county resident representatives and a representative of the disability and communication access board. (SD2)

 

LAB, FIN

SB 1526, SD2, HD1

(HSCR681-08)

 

RELATING TO JUDICIARY.

Establishes the salaries of the administrative director of the courts and deputy administrative director of the courts.  (SB1526 HD1)

 

JUD, LAB, FIN

Decision making to follow.