THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2003

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY AND HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS

Senator Colleen Hanabusa, Chair

Senator Suzanne Chun Oakland, Vice Chair

NOTICE OF HEARING

 

DATE:

Wednesday, February 26, 2003

TIME:

8:30 a.m.

PLACE:

Conference Room 229

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A

PLEASE NOTE: Because of the lengthy agenda, the hearing will start at 8:30 a.m. instead of the usual 9:00 a.m.

SB 456

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING.

Repeals prohibition against displaying campaign signs more than forty-five days prior to and ten days following an election.

JHW

SB 459

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING.

Limits aggregate contributions by any person or entity to not more than $25,000 in any calendar year; repeals requirement that contributions from separate entities be treated as a contribution from a single entity if one entity finances or controls the activities of another contributing entity; treats a corporation and any person owning at least a 35% interest in the corporation as a single person for purposes of applying campaign spending laws; requires that qualifying contributions to receive public funds come from individual Hawaii residents; repeals limits on number of fundraisers; limits family and personal funds contribution in the aggregate to $25,000; allows unlimited contributions through separate segregated funds; punishes intentional falsification of a required report as a Class C felony.

JHW/TMG

SB 469

(SSCR447)

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for any employer to include in an employment document as a condition of hiring, any provision interfering with the protected right of an employee to file a charge in an investigation or relinquish any right or protection.

LBR, JHW

SB 694

SD1

(SSCR522)

RELATING TO THE WHISTLEBLOWERS' PROTECTION ACT.

Extends protection under whistleblower protection act to public employees who report information relating to a condition that poses a danger to public health or safety, unless the employee knows that the report is false. Creates an exception to the two-year statute of limitations period to require commencement for aggrieved employees who are physically or mentally incapacitated to begin upon their return to work. (SD1)

LBR, JHW

SB 764

SD1

(SSCR488)

RELATING TO THE WHISTLEBLOWERS' PROTECTION ACT.

Expands the protection provided under the Whistleblowers' Protection Act for employees who report situations that demonstrate danger to public health and safety, which they observe during the course of their work. Creates an exception to the two-year statute of limitations period to require commencement for aggrieved employees who are physically or mentally incapacitated to begin upon their return to work. (SD1)

LBR, JHW

SB 921

SD1

(SSCR528)

RELATING TO HAWAII WORKSITE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ACT.

Entitles employers to obtain TROs to protect worksite. (SD1)

LBR, JHW

SB 931

SD1

(SSCR333)

RELATING TO HAWAII VICTIMS LEAVE ACT.

Entitles domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking victims to paid or unpaid employment leave. (SD1)

LBR, JHW

SB 1075

RELATING TO CONTESTED CASES.

Mandates mediation as a required step for contested case hearings.

JHW

SB 1324

RELATING TO CONCILIATION PANELS.

Requires a claimant or the claimant's attorney to have a claim evaluated by a qualified physician, or make a good faith effort to consult with a qualified physician before a claim can be filed with the Medical Claims Conciliation Panel. Provides options for parties who prefer to utilize forums other than the MCCP to evaluate their cases, while still requiring that the claim be evaluated by a qualified physician, or that a good faith effort be made to consult with a qualified physician before a lawsuit based on the claim can be filed with the courts. Amends the tolling provision of the statute of limitations when claims are filed with the court-approved programs, and reduces the processing time from 18 months to 12 months.

JHW

SB 1638

(SSCR420)

RELATING TO COSTS OF PROCEEDINGS IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS.

Gives the supreme court or appellate board discretion for awarding proceeding costs and reasonable attorney's fees if appeal is initiated by an employee and the employer loses. Sets standards for this discretion.

LBR, JHW

     

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW, IF TIME PERMITS.

Persons wishing to testify should submit 25 copies (1 sided) of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 227, State Capitol during regular business hours, or outside the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Office, Room 015, State Capitol for all other times, 24 hours prior to the hearing. Testimony may also be faxed if less than 5 pages in length, to the Senate Sergeant-At-Arms Office at 586-6659 or 1-800-586-6659 (toll free for neighbor islands), at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. When faxing, please indicate to whom the testimony is being submitted, the date and time of the hearing, and the required number of copies needed for submittal. Oral testimony will be limited to three minutes.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids or services to participate in the public hearing process (i.e., sign language interpreter, wheelchair accessibility, or parking designated for the disabled) please contact the committee clerk 24 hours prior to the hearing so arrangements can be made.

Public Folder. A folder labeled "Public Folder" containing the measures and testimonies for the hearing will be available for shared use by members of the public.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE COMMITTEE CLERK AT 586-6916.

 

________________________________________

Senator Colleen Hanabusa

Chair