HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

STATE OF HAWAII

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 7, 2000
CONTACT: Rep. Ed Case
Majority Leader
Telephone: [phone]

EDUCATIONAL, ECONOMIC AND REGULATORY REFORMS TOP MID-SESSION PACKAGE

Midway through the 2000 legislative session, the Democratic Majority in the State House of Representatives has approved major education, economic and regulatory measures aimed at an eventual system-wide reform and modernization of state government operations, according to Rep. Ed Case (D - Manoa, University, Wilder), House Majority Leader.

"At the beginning of this session, House Democrats said we would remain focused on economic revitalization, stay the course on the $2 billion in tax cuts we passed in 1998 and 1999, and advance major education and regulatory reform packages, and we have done so," Case said.

The House has passed all three of Schools Superintendent Paul LeMahieu�s centerpiece reform initiatives, which House Democrats endorsed as part of their own majority package. Case said the reforms improve education funding and provide for increased authority and accountability in education governance.

Also passing was a comprehensive package to reform Hawaii�s regulatory environment. "After taxes, which we have cut, businesses are most affected by burdensome regulations. These bills target unnecessary regulation and further add to economic revitalization," Case said.

Other major mid-session accomplishments highlighted by Case include bills authorizing private construction and operation of a minimum/medium security prison on the Big Island, mandating renewable energy development, reforming the public employees� health fund, addressing women�s and children�s issues, and authorizing a publicly-financed election pilot project for the 2002 Honolulu City Council races.

Specific measures include:

Education Reform

HB 1873 Allows the Department of Education (DOE) to retain all federal and trust funds received without concurrent reduction in state funding

HB 1874 Provides authority for review and revision of education governance rules

HB 1875 Assigns broad grant of authority to DOE to administer a comprehensive accountability system exempt from collective bargaining

HB 2451, HB 3002 Accelerates school repair and maintenance funding, including playgrounds

HB 2062 Authorizes the University of Hawaii to carryover unspent general funds for one additional year

Regulatory Reform

HB 1863 Restricts the scope of state rules necessary to conform to federal law

HB 1864 Provides for the automatic repeal of a rule or regulation on expiration of the underlying law or statute

HB 2187 Provides a check-and-balance on excessive administrative rule adoption

HB 2188 Requires demonstration of a "rational nexus" between rule and law

HB 2581, HB 2582, HB 2587 Repeals administrative rules which are no longer necessary or void; advances other "SWAT" efforts

Economic Revitalization

HB 2901 Omnibus New Economy bill encouraging and accelerating development of the high technology industry

HB 2477 Facilitates development of a state Internet portal

HB 1956 Makes permanent the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Act and Small Business Defender

HB 1788 Provides a tax exemption for hotel/resort development

HB 2212 Provides for the redevelopment of harbors to accommodate the growing passenger cruise line industry

HB 2876 Improves general excise tax payment procedure for contractors

Government Operations

HB 1869, HB 2449 Reforms the administration of the Public Employees� Health Fund and requires cost-saving revisions

HB 1871 Provides for annual audit of public employee health plans

HB 2518 Advances the Administration�s civil service reform measures

Public Safety

HB 2741 Authorizes private operation of state prisons

HB 2739 Authorizes construction of private minimum/medium security prison at East Hawaii site

HB 1880 Requires periodic re-registration of firearms

HB 1881 Consolidates and strengthens DUI laws

HB 2388 Implements "zero tolerance" for weapons and drug possession in public schools

Women and Children

HB 1846 Continues funding of Good Beginnings Alliance focusing on early childhood development

HB 1847 Focuses on issues specific to women prisoners

HB 1838, HB 1843, HB 1845 Strengthens domestic violence laws

HB 540 Funds the Children�s Health Insurance Program out of tobacco settlement funds

HB 3016 Increases income eligibility and medically needy program

Health

HB 2277, HB 2273 Expands on 1999 initiatives directing Tobacco Settlement monies to public health efforts

HB 2961, HB 2034 Targets the black market trade in tobacco products

HB 2392 Requires diabetes prevention coverage in health care benefits

HB 2534 Improves delivery of health services to rural areas

Energy and Environment

HB 1883 Requires public utilities to implement renewable energy portfolio standards (facilitates renewable energy industry)

HB 1884 Advances net metering (electrical credits to home energy producers)

HB 2574, HB 2576, HB 2836, HB 2973, HB 2835, HB 2539 Identifies specific funding sources for environmental protection efforts

Civic Improvement

HB 1877 Implements state constitutional mandate to protect individual privacy

HB 1879 Authorizes pilot project for public financing of elections for the 2002 Honolulu City Council races

HB 2193 Improves public access to the legislative process

These and other House-approved measures now cross to the State Senate for consideration.