THE SENATE

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2008

 

COMMITTEE ON WAYS AND MEANS

Senator Rosalyn H. Baker, Chair

Senator Shan S. Tsutsui, Vice Chair

 

NOTICE OF DECISION MAKING

 

 

DATE:

Thursday, February 21, 2008

TIME:

9:30 a.m.

PLACE:

Conference Room 211

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

 

A G E N D A

 

The following bills were previously heard in their respective subject matter committees.  For this decision-making, only written comments will be accepted; no oral testimony will be accepted.

 

SB 2850, SD1

 

(SSCR2305)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Establishes statutory provisions on and appropriates funds for the department of agriculture's biosecurity program.  (SD1)

 

AHW/ENE, WAM

SB 2842, SD1

 

(SSCR2409)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO LIGHTING.

Phases-out and bans the use of lighting products with lead and high mercury content; establishes a statewide lighting efficiency standard for general purpose lights; allows the use of ENERGY STAR labeled lamps in agency buildings and facilities; and directs the department of health to develop a statewide recycling program for recycling mercury-containing compact fluorescent bulbs.  (SD1)

 

ENE, WAM

SB 2843, SD1

 

(SSCR2410)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC DEVICE RECYCLING.

Establishes a state program for collection, recycling, enforcement, and monitoring of covered electronic devices; establishes program funding through the electronic device recycling fund. (SD1)

 

ENE, WAM

SB 2845, SD1

 

(SSCR2408)

Testimony

Status

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.  (SD1)

 

ENE/TSG, WAM

SB 3172

 

(SSCR2470)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

Provides qualified rental assistance applicants up to six months to find a qualified rental dwelling.

 

HSP, WAM

SB 2832, SD1

 

(SSCR2318)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY.

Establishes sustainable communities in Hawaii with the combined effort of state departments and agencies.  (SD1)

 

CPH, WAM

SB 2833

 

(SSCR2455)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO SUSTAINABILITY.

Adopts the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan.  Establishes a sustainability council to coordinate, implement, measure, and evaluate the progress of the Hawaii 2050 sustainability plan and activities.  Appropriates funds to the sustainability council.

 

CPH, WAM

SB 2829, SD1

 

(SSCR2483)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Adopts amendments to Hawaii tax laws to implement the streamlined sales and use tax agreement. (SD1)

 

EDT, WAM

SB 2822, SD1

 

(SSCR2013)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO NON-SCHOOL HOUR PROGRAMS.

Appropriates TANF funds for non-school-hour programs to be expended by the DOE, OYS, and the counties; appropriates funds for the Safe Haven after-school program in Hawaii county; establishes a task force on non-school-hour programs; and appropriates general funds for non-school-hour activities and a program coordinator.  (SD1)

 

HSP/EDU, WAM

SB 2830, SD1

 

(SSCR2118)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO CAREGIVING.

Extends the joint legislative committee on family caregiving; changes the committee's name to the joint legislative committee on aging in place; expands the committee's mandate to include aging in place issues related to family caregiving; requires the aging and disability resource center to report to the committee; requires the joint legislative committee to develop a model for a cash and counseling project; appropriates funds to the joint legislative committee; allows kupuna care to include overnight, weekend, and emergency respite, as well as provide grants to caregivers and for home modification; appropriates funds to the kupuna care program; establishes a task force to focus on the needs and issues of grandparents raising grandchildren; appropriates funds to the executive office on aging to continue its respite inventory project in collaboration with the University of Hawaii.  (SD1)

 

HSP, WAM

SB 2837, SD1

 

(SSCR2270)

Testimony

Status

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)

 

HSP, WAM

SB 2838, SD1

 

(SSCR2477)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Allows income tax refunds to be deposited electronically in a maximum of three checking or savings accounts for income tax returns that are filed electronically. (SD1)

 

HSP/EDT, WAM

SB 2839, SD1

 

(SSCR2214)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO FINANCIAL EDUCATION.

Establishes a public financial education and asset building task force; makes an appropriation.  (SD1)

 

HSP, WAM

SB 2840, SD1

 

(SSCR2476)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.

Requires the department of business, economic development, and tourism to establish, update, and define the self-sufficiency standard.  (SD1)

 

HSP/EDT, WAM

SB 2828, SD1

 

(SSCR2413)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF.

Clarifies the use of the governor's emergency powers.  Clarifies that the governor shall not utilize the power to suspend laws authorized under the Civil Defense and Emergency Act when the State is attacked for purposes of noncivil defense situations unless there is a tangible and measureable threat to the people or environment of the State.  Establishes that certain provisions of the State's disaster relief chapter are operative and supersede provisions of the Civil Defense and Emergency Act in times when an emergency arises that is not considered a civil defense emergency.  States that any emergency powers in force prior to the effective date of this measure expire at the end of the 2008 regular session unless reauthorized by the legislature.  (SD1)

 

JDL/IGM, WAM

SB 3171, SD1

 

(SSCR2437)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO CHARITABLE TRUSTS AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

Requires charitable trusts and nonprofits to register and file annual financial reports with the attorney general.  Authorizes the attorney general to conduct investigations on possible violations.  Prohibits contracting with unregistered solicitors.  Requires a report submittal fee based on total revenue of organization.  Appropriates funds to staff additional positions.  (SB3171 SD1)

 

JDL/CPH, WAM

SB 2824, SD1

 

(SSCR2176)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires the auditor to review and make recommendations concerning the effectiveness of implementation and compliance by state departments and agencies with the Hawaii public procurement code; makes comptroller ex-officio nonvoting member of procurement board; appropriates funds for the audit.  (SD1)

 

TSG, WAM

SB 2826, SD1

 

(SSCR2177)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Requires state and county procurement officers to undergo annual procurement training furnished by the state procurement office; makes comptroller ex-officio nonvoting member of state procurement policy board.  (SD1)

 

TSG, WAM

SB 2146, SD1

 

(SSCR2494)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO THE CENTER FOR NURSING.

Extends the sunset date on the deposit and disbursement of certain nursing fees into the compliance resolution fund for the credit of the center for nursing special fund; establishes a staff nurse position on the advisory board of the center for nursing; requires the center for nursing to submit an interim report to the legislature regarding the five-year longitudinal study and alternative funding for the center. (SD1)

 

HTH/CPH, WAM

SB 2160, SD1

 

(SSCR2403)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Requires the department of health to submit an annual report on forensic patients; requires yearly court status hearings for individuals ordered to be conditionally released or hospitalized as an inpatient by the mental health court; reduces the minimum length of hospitalization from ninety to thirty days for individuals who are recommitted after conditional release; makes appropriation for mental health court operations.  (SD1)

 

HTH/JDL, WAM

SB 2414, SD1

 

(SSCR2495)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Authorizes LRB to compile and analyze existing studies of the various state-funded portions of medicaid-sponsored programs offered by the State pursuant to chapter 346, Hawaii Revised Statutes, including medicaid and med-QUEST; makes appropriation.  (SD1)

 

HTH/JDL, WAM

SB 2535, SD1

 

(SSCR2337)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO THE TRAUMA SYSTEM SPECIAL FUND.

Establishes additional funding mechanisms for the trauma system special fund.  Makes appropriation.  (SD1)

 

HTH/JDL, WAM

SB 2542, SD1

 

(SSCR2329)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO PUBLIC HEALTH.

Ensures continued community-based primary care for the uninsured, underinsured, or medicaid recipients by helping the community health center system to remain financially viable and stable in the face of the increasing needs of these populations. (SD1)

 

HTH/HSP, WAM

SB 2673, SD1

 

(SSCR2218)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO THE CANCER RESEARCH SPECIAL FUND.

Increases the sources of revenue available to support the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii.  Allows moneys in cancer research special fund to be used for capital expenditures.  (SD1)

 

HTH/EDU, WAM

SB 2768, SD1

 

(SSCR2120)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST THE MAUI REGION OF THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Authorizes issuance of $150,000,000 in revenue bonds for a heart, brain, and spine center at the Maui memorial medical center.  (SD1)

 

HTH, WAM

SB 3076

 

(SSCR2276)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO EPIDEMIOLOGISTS.

Authorizes the Department of Health (DOH) to create permanent or temporary exempt epidemiologist positions.

 

HTH, WAM

SB 3185, SD1

 

(SSCR2277)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO CANCER.

Appropriates funds for cervical and breast cancer screening, education, and outreach.  (SD1)

 

HTH, WAM

SB 520, SD1

 

(SSCR2223)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Establishes a peace mission committee within the office of international affairs to plan and implement peace missions to other nations and organizations; appropriates funds.  (SD1)

 

TIA, WAM

SB 2156

 

(SSCR2001)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO THE WEST MAUI TRANSPORTATION ACCESS PLAN.

Creates an informal, temporary West Maui transportation access plan working group to develop a West Maui transportation access plan.  Allows hiring of a consultant without regard to the Hawaii procurement code to develop the plan.  Appropriates funds.

 

TIA, WAM

SB 2816, SD1

 

(SSCR2531)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO INTRA-COUNTY FERRY SERVICE.

Requires department of land and natural resources to assign priority mooring space to intra-county ferries serving a county with 500,000 or less people and at least 3 islands inhabited by permanent residents.  Exempts distributors from fuel tax for fuel sold for ultimate use by the intra-county ferry service.  (SD1)

 

TIA, EDT, WAM

SB 2913, SD1

 

(SSCR2541)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Exempts from general excise and use taxes the fuel sold from a foreign-trade zone for interisland air transportation by common carriers.  (SD1)

 

TIA, EDT, WAM

SB 2916, SD1

 

(SSCR2151)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO TRANSPORTATION.

Establishes a car rental customer facility charge special fund to be used for enhancement, renovation, operation and maintenance of existing rental car customer facilities, and the development of car rental customer facilities at state airports; authorizes the Department of Transportation to establish, by rule, car rental customer facility charges for deposit in the fund.  (SD1)

 

TIA, WAM

SB 3149, SD2

 

(SSCR2536)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO HIGHWAYS.

Requires the remittance of general excise tax revenues from liquid fuel sales to the state highway fund.  Repeals provisions authorizing transfers of revenues deemed excess out of the state highway fund; replaces the tour vehicle surcharge tax of $65 for each tour vehicle that falls into the over twenty-five passenger seat category, and $15 for the eight to twenty-five passenger seat category, with unspecified surcharge amounts. (SD2)

 

TIA, EDT, WAM

SB 3227, SD1

 

(SSCR2326)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO HARBORS.

Expands the authority of the Aloha Tower development corporation to assist in the development of the statewide harbors modernization plan; authorizes the DOT to issue revenue bonds to finance the harbor improvements; transfers Hana harbor, excluding its small boat ramp facility, to DOT.  (SD1)

 

TIA/WTL, WAM

SB 3234, SD1

 

(SSCR2445)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO HIGHWAY SAFETY.

Requires installation of ignition interlock device on the vehicle of a person arrested for driving under the influence that prevents the person from starting or operating a motor vehicle with more than a minimal alcohol concentration while the person's case is pending and while the person's license is revoked pursuant to chapter 291E, HRS.  Provides for certification of devices and vendors and funds installation of devices for the indigent with surcharges on offenders and fees on vendors.  Effective 7/1/10.  Establishes a task force to prepare for implementation.  Appropriates funds for the task force.  Effective 7/1/08.  (SD1)

 

TIA/JDL, WAM

SB 2467, SD1

 

(SSCR2324)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO LOANS TO ASSIST AGRICULTURAL AND AQUACULTURAL INDUSTRIES.

Establishes classes of loans for farm sustainable projects and aquaculture sustainable projects.  (SD1)

 

AHW/ENE, WAM

SB 2733, SD1

 

(SSCR2486)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC TRUST LANDS SETTLEMENT.

Resolves claims and disputes relating to the portion of income and proceeds from the lands of the public land trust for use by the office of Hawaiian affairs between 11/7/1978 and 7/1/2008; fixes prospectively the minimum amount of income and proceeds from the lands of the public land trust that are to be paid to the office of Hawaii affairs at $15,100,000 each fiscal year.  Effective 07/01/08.  (SD1)

 

AHW/WTL/JDL, WAM

SB 2915, SD1

 

(SSCR2385)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO TARO.

Creating the taro security and purity task force and appropriating funds for that purpose.  (SD1)

 

AHW, WAM

SB 2956, SD1

 

(SSCR2239)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO MILK.

Ensures that the remaining Hawaii dairy producers are paid a price commensurate with the quality of the milk they produce.  Appropriates moneys to establish a strategic plan for the milk industry. (SD1)

 

AHW, WAM

SB 3048, SD1

 

(SSCR2242)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO THE HAWAIIAN HOMES COMMISSION ACT.

Increases the loan ceiling for farm and ranch operations on Hawaiian home lands from $50,000 to $200,000.  (SD1)

 

AHW, WAM

SB 788, SD1

 

(SSCR2122)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF.

Appropriates moneys for the state civil defense major disaster fund and other disaster relief.  (SD1)

 

IGM, WAM

SB 2180

 

(SSCR2130)

Testimony

Status

 

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR DISASTER RELIEF.

Appropriates moneys to maximize available federal reimbursements to assist Hawaii county with earthquake recovery efforts.

 

IGM, WAM

SB 2447

 

(SSCR2005)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO THE NATIONAL GUARD.

Increases uniform maintenance allowance from $1.50 to $10 per day, not to exceed $150 per year.

 

IGM, WAM

SB 2720, SD1

 

(SSCR2125)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO THE STATE FIRE COUNCIL.

Establishes 2 full-time equivalency positions for the state fire council, an administrator and an administrative assistant, to be funded by the department of labor and industrial relations.  (SD1)

 

IGM, WAM

SB 2984, SD1

 

(SSCR2124)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO DISASTER LOANS.

Provides for variable interest rates below the applicable Small Business Administration rates; increases loan amounts; allows for remediation/mitigation; adjusts loan application deadlines; and makes other housekeeping changes to the state disaster commercial and personal loan program. (SD1)

 

IGM, WAM

SB 2034

 

(SSCR2309)

Testimony

Status

 

 

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST OCEANLINX HAWAII LLC.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds for planning, designing, and constructing a wave or hydrokinetic power facility on Maui.

 

ENE, WAM

SB 2455, SD1

 

(SSCR2059)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.

Expands the renewable energy technologies tax credit to include hydrogen energy systems.  (SD1)

 

ENE, WAM

SB 2623

 

(SSCR2527)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.

Expands the renewable energy technologies tax credit to include solar electric energy systems.

 

ENE, EDT, WAM

SB 2624

 

(SSCR2311)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO THE HAWAII ENERGY POLICY FORUM.

Makes an appropriation for the continuation of the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum.

 

ENE, WAM

SB 2711, SD1

 

(SSCR2515)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO INTEGRATED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Permit the department of health to distribute excess moneys in the deposit beverage container deposit special fund to the counties to support the establishment and maintenance of recycling programs. (SD1)

 

ENE, WAM

SB 2764, SD2

 

(SSCR2524)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO ETHANOL FACILITY TAX CREDIT.

Repeals the qualifying capacity limits of ethanol production facilities, provides a vehicle to change the total tax credits allowed per year, and repeals the sunset provision with respect to the total annual nameplate capacity for qualifying ethanol production facilities.  (SD2)

 

ENE, EDT, WAM

SB 2986, SD1

 

(SSCR2530)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO REFUNDABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY TAX CREDIT.

Allows a taxpayer whose sole source of income is derived from pension benefits or with an adjusted gross income of $20,000 or less to take a refundable tax credit for the purchase and installation of a renewable energy technology, which includes solar water heating, photovoltaic, and wind systems.  (SD1)

 

ENE, EDT, WAM

SB 2991, SD1

 

(SSCR2308)

Testimony

Status

 

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 required of the State Energy Resources Coordinator and Energy Program. (SD1)

 

ENE, WAM

SB 3073

 

(SSCR2167)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC PERMITTING FEES.

Allows certain Department of Health environmental programs to conduct business electronically and withhold sufficient moneys to cover the cost of electronic and credit card provider services.

 

ENE, WAM


SB 3190

 

(SSCR2310)

Testimony

Status

 

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST SOPOGY INC., IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds in an amount not exceeding $35,000,000 to assist Sopogy, Inc. with planning, designing, construction, equipping, and operating a solar farm power plant on the island of Oahu to produce electricity from solar power.

 

ENE, WAM

SB 3215, SD2

 

(SSCR2543)

Testimony

Status

RELATING TO BIODIESEL.

Provides various market stimulation incentives for the development of biodiesel, including making state agricultural lands available for biodiesel fuel crops; establishing a state biodiesel feedstock crop and biodiesel fuel purchasing program; and creating tax exemptions for biomass crushing facilities and lands used for biodiesel feedstock crops. (SD2)

 

ENE/AHW, EDT, WAM

 

 

FOR ALL MEASURES LISTED ABOVE

ONLY WRITTEN COMMENTS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED.

 

Persons wishing to testify should submit testimony in one of the following ways at least 24 hours prior to the hearing:

 

·         In person:  1 copy of their testimony to the committee clerk, Room 210, State Capitol.

 

·         By fax:  Testimony may 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 which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing.

 

·         By Email:  Testimony may be emailed if less than 5 pages in length, to [email protected].  Please indicate to which committee the testimony is being submitted and the date and time of the hearing. Email sent to individual offices or any other Senate office will not be accepted.

 

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


Please note:  Documents made available through the Testimony hyperlink(s) above may not be posted until the start of the hearing.

 

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 586-6800.

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Senator Rosalyn H. Baker

Chair