FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 2, 2001

Contact: Rep. Marcus Oshiro Tel.: [phone]

BILLS ON AGE OF CONSENT, FOOD CREDIT, CAMPAIGN REFORM APPROVED

Republican Recall Effort Stalls Again; Some GOP Members Bolt

The House of Representatives today advanced crucial measures on age of consent, food tax credits, and campaign reforms, while House Republicans recalled their eighth and ninth bills of the session in the face of opposition from some of their own members.

House Bill 163, House Draft 1, proposing a food tax credit for Hawaii residents unanimously passed second reading today. The bill, which targets the biggest breaks for residents with the lowest incomes, will now be placed on next week's House calendar for third and final reading before being sent over to the Senate.

In his floor remarks, Finance Committee Chair Rep. Dwight Takamine said the bill represents a "progressive and reasonable" tax break that still enables the Legislature to balance the budget.

Also passing second reading unanimously was H. B. 236, H. D. 1, which effectively raises the age of consent to 16 years old from the present 14. The measure exempts sex between teenagers as long as there is no more than five years difference in their ages, and it exempts teenagers under 16 who are legally married. Sexual contact with a minor under 14 remains a felony offense.

The bill, introduced by Rep. Marilyn Lee, Majority Floor Leader, is likely headed for a conference with the Senate. Rep. Eric Hamakawa, chair of the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee, told committee members this afternoon that he is awaiting additional information from Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle, who plans to consult with his Mainland counterparts.

"This is a very complex issue and I'm extremely pleased with the way the bill has emerged," said Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Majority Leader. "I know that with all the emotion that surrounds this issue, it was very difficult for committee members maintain their impartiality and stay focused on the objective -- protecting vulnerable teenagers from sexual predation by adults."

Ironically, H.B. 236 was the first bill recalled by House Republicans. Oshiro said the Feb. 13 recall was a premature attempt to force a floor vote without benefit of public input. "With the public hearing, we were able to craft a bill that doesn't criminalize sex between teenagers but addresses the true concern of older men and women preying on our children," he said.

Another critical measure passing second reading today was H. B. 170, H. D. 1, which proposes strict limits on political contributions and eliminates some of the unnecessary filings and reports required under state law.

One of the key provisions of the bill would prohibit any contractor to the State or counties from making political contributions to any candidate, political party, political committee, or to a person who is responsible for the contract, for a period of one year. The clock begins running at the time notice of the contract is posted, or when negotiations for an agreement begin, whichever is earlier, and extends one year beyond the contract's completion or termination.

Another section of the bill cuts the maximum amounts of campaign contributions in half. Campaign contributions cannot exceed $1,000 during an election period to candidates running for a two-year office; $3,000 to candidates running for a four-year statewide office; and $2,000 to candidates running for a four-year, non-statewide office.

"This bill is an important step toward resolving some very problematic areas in the law," Oshiro said. "Once again, the committee dismissed the bullying and rhetoric and kept their focus. In the end, we have a thoughtful product that can really clean up campaign financing and help restore public confidence in the political process."

Oshiro said H.B. 170, H. D. 1 addresses many of the concerns voiced by Republicans in their failed attempt to pass a similar measure. He also noted that during the Judiciary Committee's decision-making earlier in the day, all four Republicans present voted "yes.

And for the first time since they began using recall, House Republicans split over a bill to remove school principals from collective bargaining. In the floor discussion of H. B. 254, Rep. Cynthia Thielen rose in opposition to her own party's recall. Other Republicans joining her in opposing the bill were Reps. Chris Halford and Barbara Marumoto.

The Republican Minority also recalled H. B. 256, which would create eight, localized boards of education statewide. Rep. K. Mark Takai, Education Committee Vice Chair, said the bill would swell the bureaucracy and instead of having 13 school board members, there would be a total of 56 board members, plus the increase in staffing to service eight school boards. He added that the cost to establish such a system is estimated to exceed $4 million.

It is an ill-advised bill, Takai said, at a time "when people are demanding that we put more money into our classrooms and retain our best teachers."

The Minority Republicans actually served notice that they would recall three bills at today's floor session, but were unable to recall the third bill after three of their own members abruptly left the House floor, giving them less than the required one-third votes to recall bills.

"I'm a little puzzled," said Oshiro. "They hold press conferences and insist that these bills are being recalled because they are of major public importance, and yet their own members don't find it important enough to stay around to ensure that the recall is effected."

The House Session will resume on Tuesday, March 6, following a mandatory one-day recess. All bills must pass third reading on Thursday, March 8, for crossover to the Senate, otherwise they are dead for this session.

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