COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMMERCE

Monday, February 2, 2004

1:30 p.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 2147

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE.

Replaces article 7 of the Uniform Commercial Code on documents of title.

CPC

HB 1823

RELATING TO THE BUSINESS CORPORATION ACT.

Provides for up to four groups of directors, each group with different staggered terms.

CPC

HB 2139

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Amends the standard nonforfeiture law for individual deferred annuities by extending for 2 years the 1 1/2% interest rate for determining the minimum nonforfeiture amount. Redefines the minimum nonforfeiture amount and the interest rate used to calculate the minimum nonforfeiture amount. Makes the amendments optional for 2 years, mandatory thereafter.

CPC

HB 1782

RELATING TO ATTORNEYS' FEES.

Establishes a graduated schedule of reasonable attorneys' fees for cases pertaining to an association's collection of delinquent assessments, foreclosure of liens, and enforcement of the Condominium Property Act and related rules and regulations.

CPC, JUD

HB 2148

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM ATHLETE AGENTS ACT.

Adds new chapter, Uniform Athlete Agents, that establishes service of process procedure for nonresident agents; provides requirements, procedures, and fees for agent registration; required form for agency contract. Establishes student athlete's right to cancel contract.

CPC, FIN

HB 2140

RELATING TO MANDATORY CONTINUING EDUCATION FOR PHARMACISTS.

Establishes pharmacist license renewal requirement of 30 continuing education credit hours, beginning with renewals for the licensing biennium starting on 1/1/06.

CPC

HB 1824

RELATING TO ELECTRICIANS AND PLUMBERS.

Requires all plumbers to attend continuing education courses related to updates of the Uniform Plumbing Code.

CPC

SB 1549

SD1

(SSCR755)

RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY.

Allows private or government accounting experience to be applied towards the public accountancy experience requirement for the purpose of qualifying for a license, but not for a permit to practice. (SD1)

CPC

Decision making to follow.

 

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

Conference Room 309; State Capitol

8:30 a.m. AGENDA:

HB 2871

RELATING TO TOBACCO.

Prohibits smoking by public employees in public schools, on school transport, and at school-sponsored functions anywhere, except if at school function in an enclosed room not located on school premises and no student is present. Excludes smoking in public schools as a negotiable item for all public employees.

LAB, EDN

Decision making to follow.

 

Decision making only:

(Deferred from January 29, 2004)

HB 2040

RELATING TO THE STATE VETERANS' HOME.

Requires Hawaii health systems corporation to contract with private entity to manage day-to-day operation of the state veterans' home in Hilo.

HLT/LAB, PSM, FIN

9:30 a.m. AGENDA:

HB 2873

RELATING TO HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS.

Establishes a mechanism for individuals to open health savings accounts.

LAB/HLT, FIN

HB 2710

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE INSURANCE TAX CREDIT.

Grants tax credit to employers who provide health care coverage for part-time employees at the lesser of 50% of premiums paid or $     per part-time employee. Defines "part-time employee" and "health care coverage". Applies to taxable years beginning after 12/31/2004.

LAB/HLT, CPC, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT AND COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 309; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 2008

RELATING TO HEALTH.

Establishes a system of universal health care insurance in the State of Hawaii.

LAB/HLT, CPC, FIN

HB 2876

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes the State Health Authority to provide health care for all Hawaii citizens. Establishes the State Health Authority Commission to determine the costs of the Authority, and to determine a financing mechanism to carry out the purpose of the Authority. Repeals the State Health Planning and Development Agency and transfers its functions to the Authority. Repeals the Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund.

LAB/HLT

HB 2408

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows health insurers to treat a trade association and its members as a single group for the purpose of issuing a health insurance policy, while allowing members of the trade association to opt out and obtain their own insurance. Prohibits the health insurer from requiring the association to offer only that insurer's plan.

LAB/HLT, CPC, FIN

HB 2571

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Authorizes the formation of a purchasing pool for small employers to purchase health care insurance to meet the requirements of the prepaid health care law. Gives administrative duties to the insurance commissioner.

LAB/HLT, CPC, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 312;

AGENDA:

HB 2474

RELATING TO THE VOLUNTARY RESPONSE PROGRAM.

Clarifies waiver of requesting party fees and liability exemption provision of the program.

EEP, FIN

HB 2390

RELATING TO THE NATURAL ENERGY LABORATORY OF HAWAII AUTHORITY AND PROTECTING CONFIDENTIALITY OF TRADE SECRETS.

Retains confidentiality of records pertaining to tenants and prospective tenants of the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii Authority containing confidential commercial and proprietary information.

EEP, EDB, JUD/CPC

HB 2182

RELATING TO WASTE MANAGEMENT.

Makes the penalty for illegal dumping a class C felony. Authorizes citizen suits for solid waste pollution offenses.

EEP, JUD

HB 2375

RELATING TO SOLID WASTE CONTROL.

Creates a felony charge for the disposal of solid waste.

EEP, JUD

HB 2577

RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IMPROVEMENTS.

Allows a property tax exemption for alternative energy improvements placed in service after July 1, 2004, but before June 30, 2014; adds seawater air conditioning with, or without, thermal energy storage as an eligible energy source; adds thermal energy use as an applicable energy process.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 2314

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENTS.

Clarifies that the accepting agency or authority for an environmental impact statement is not required to be the approving agency for the permit or approval.

EEP, FIN

HB 2189

RELATING TO CORPORATIONS.

Prohibits incorporation and requires dissolution of corporate repeat environmental offenders; prohibits issuance and requires revocation of certificate of authority of foreign corporate repeat environmental offender; requires attorney general and director of commerce and consumer affairs to act.

EEP, CPC/JUD

HB 2521

RELATING TO TAXATION OF ALTERNATIVE FUELS.

Suspends the State portion of the fuel tax on alternative fuels for a period of five years to encourage the development and use of alternative fuels.

EEP, TRN, FIN

Decision making to follow.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM AND CULTURE AND SENATE COMMITTEE ON TOURISM

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

AGENDA:

The purpose of this informational briefing is for committee members to receive status reports from representatives of organizations that have responsibility and/or impact to the growth and promotion of Hawaii’s tourism industry. The following are scheduled to appear:

9:00 a.m. Rex Johnson – Hawaii Tourism Authority

* 9:30 a.m. Takashi Ichikura – Hawaii Tourism Authority-Japan (aka) Dentsu, Inc.

*10:00 a.m. John Monahan – Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau

*Note: Scheduled times are approximate

 

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH

Tuesday, February 3, 2004

9:30 a.m.

Conference Room 329; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 2018

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR A SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINERS PROGRAM.

(Removed from January 29, 2004)

Makes appropriation for a pilot project establishing a program for sexual assault nurse examiners to be administered through the department of the attorney general and to be implemented through the county police departments.

HLT, JUD, FIN

HB 2101

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE.

Includes major depression, which involves recurring episodes, in definition of "mental illness" and "serious mental illness." Includes major depression, which may be accompanied by incidence of alcohol or drug dependence, for mental illness coverage.

HLT, CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 2102

RELATING TO MENTAL HEALTH AND ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE INSURANCE.

Prohibits any rate, term, or condition that places a greater financial burden on an insured for access to treatment for mental illness than for access to treatment for a physical health condition. Requires insurance commissioner to report on effects of prohibition by 1/15/2005.

HLT, CPC, FIN

HB 2103

RELATING TO ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS.

Creates parity for treatment of alcohol and drug dependence by repealing the limitation of two treatment episodes per lifetime with regard to coverage of alcohol and drug dependence benefits.

HLT, CPC, FIN

HB 2121

RELATING TO SAFE NURSE STAFFING.

Provides for patient protection by requiring safe nurse staffing

HLT, CPC, FIN

HB 2123

RELATING TO MANDATED HEALTH BENEFITS.

Creates mandated health benefit council to advise the auditor and legislature on proposed benefits. Repeals all existing mandated benefits on 6/30/2009. Limits new mandated benefits to 5 years. Requires council to advise legislature whether to allow repeal of benefit or to renew for further 5 years.

HLT, CPC, FIN

Decision making to follow.

  

 

Decision making only:

  

HB 2539

RELATING TO HOSPITALS.

This is a short form bill for decision-making only. No testimony will be accepted.

 

HLT

Decision making only (deferred on January 29, 2004:

SB 1322

SD1

RELATING TO TAXATION OF PREMIUMS.

Eliminates the premium tax on health insurers.

HLT, CPC, FIN

SB 1323

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Provides the insurance commissioner with discretionary authority to waive filing requirements for foreign health maintenance organizations.

HLT, CPC, FIN