COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMMERCE AND COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

Monday, February 7, 2005

1:30 p.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 888

RELATING TO LICENSING FEES.

Requires the Director of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs to waive the licensing fees for any social worker employed by the State or county government.

CPC/HUS, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION AND COMMERCE AND COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Monday, February 7, 2005

1:45 p.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 393

RELATING TO THE COUNTIES.

Provides that unpaid civil fines, and unpaid administratively imposed civil fines added by the county by ordinance to taxes, fees, or charges, shall not become a part of those taxes, fees, or charges, or constitute a lien on the debtor's real or personal property.

CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 584

RELATING TO CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITIES.

The purpose of this bill is to clarify that: (1) the filing deadline for charities that issue charitable gift annuities to annually certify to the Attorney General the charities' compliance with the minimum net asset and reserve requirements of section 431:1-204, Hawaii Revised Statues; (2) the calculation of a charity's reserves on gift annuities shall be based upon mortality tables and discount rates determined by the Insurance Commissioner; (3) the requirement that a charity must conduct business in Hawaii for at least ten consecutive years rather than"continuously;" and (4) no reserve "surplus" is required for any portion of a gift annuity that is reinsured by an authorized insurer.

CPC/JUD

HB 634

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM SECURITIES ACT.

Conforms the State's securities provision to federal securities laws by adopting the 2002 Uniform Securities Act.

CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 639

RELATING TO ESCROW DEPOSITORIES.

Amends and updates provisions which set forth procedures for the licensing and regulation of escrow depositories.

CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 642

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Conforms insurance statutes to federal law and national standards.

CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 1452

RELATING TO PAWNBROKERS AND SECONDHAND DEALERS.

Requires pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers to post pictures of merchandise received on a website developed and maintained by a computer specialist hired by the county police departments.

CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 477

RELATING TO EXEMPTING ROTH INDIVIDUAL RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS FROM ATTACHMENT OR SEIZURE.

Extends the same protection from creditor claims that regular IRA's have to Roth individual retirement accounts.

CPC/JUD

Decision making to follow.

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION AND MILITARY AFFAIRS AND COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Monday, February 7, 2005

2:00 p.m.

Conference Room 309; State Capitol

AGENDA:

AUDIT OF NA WAI OLA WATERS OF LIFE CHARTER SCHOOL

The purpose of this informational briefing is to invite the Legislative Auditor and key stakeholders to discuss report No. 05-01 "Audit of Na Wai Ola Waters of Life Charter School" recently published by the Legislative Auditor during January 2005. Representatives of the following organizations are requested to make a presentation regarding the audit to the committees:

Legislative Auditor (Marion M. Higa)

Board of Education (Breene Y. Harimoto and Randall M.L. Yee)

Department of Education Charter School Administrative Office (Jim Shon)

Na Wai Ola Waters of Life Public Charter School (Katheryn Crayton-Shay)

 

COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

Monday, February 7, 2005

3:00 p.m.

Conference Room 309; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 969

RELATING TO NEW CENTURY CONVERSION CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Prohibits the DOE from using the minimum annual contribution by a nonprofit organization to reduce, suspend, or offset its normal budgetary allocation to a new century conversion charter school.

EDN, FIN

HB 995

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Clarifies that new century charter schools are subject to state land use laws and county zoning laws; requires audit and inspection by the charter school administrative office.

EDN, WLO, FIN

HB 1000

RELATING TO CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Modifies the cap on the number of new century charter schools in the state by limiting the number of new schools that can be established each year. Requires that priority in establishing these schools be given as follows: 1) first, new century charter schools in those districts where no new century charter schools exist; and 2) intermediate or high school-level new century charter schools in those districts where only elementary-level new century charter schools exist.

EDN, FIN

HB 1610

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Clarifies that the department of education may place new century charter school special education students in another school outside of the school complex that the new century charter school is located. Also requires the collaboration of a special education student's program team and the student's parents or legal guardians in determining the programs and services for the student.

EDN, FIN

HB 1611

RELATING TO NEW CENTURY CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Repeals the Act 51, SLH 2004, amendment that added new century charter schools to the definition of "public schools".

EDN, FIN

HB 1612

RELATING TO NEW CENTURY CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Clarifies the applicability to new century charter schools of specific sections in chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

EDN, JUD, FIN

HB 1620

RELATING TO NEW CENTURY CHARTER SCHOOLS.

Amends the new century charter schools law to improve its effectiveness by clearly delineating lines of authority, to reduce uncertainty regarding roles and responsibilities. Provides the board of education with authority to carry out its role as authorizer and overseer of charter schools. Clarifies requirements for renewal and revocation of charters.

EDN, LAB, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

 

COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & BUSINESS CONCERNS AND COMMITTEE ON TOURISM & CULTURE

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

8:30 a.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 1348

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR HUI NO`EAU VISUAL ARTS CENTER.

Appropriates funds for Hui No`eau Visual Arts Center.

TAC, FIN

HB 1388

RELATING TO THE KING KAMEHAMEHA CELEBRATION COMMISSION FUND.

Creates a King Kamehameha commission trust fund administered by the Hawaii Community Foundation and King Kamehameha commissioners to fund the King Kamehameha parade and festivities.

TAC, FIN

HB 1390

RELATING TO CULTURE AND THE ARTS.

Increases the Hawaii state foundation on culture and the arts' general fund appropriation to demonstrate strong legislative support for the importance of culture and the arts in Hawaii.

TAC, FIN

HB 915

AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE STATE ART GALLERY.

Authorizes issuance of general obligation bonds in the sum of $300,000 for renovations to the State Art Gallery.

TAC, FIN

HB 835

RELATING TO TIME SHARING PLANS.

Narrows gift and prize disclosures relating to time shares. Amends content requirements and places of posting time share signs. Excludes money paid for an activity, product, or service from prohibition on developer receipt of sums from prospective purchasers.

TAC, CPC

HB 472

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

Adds executive director of state foundation on culture and the arts, or designee, as ex officio nonvoting member of the Hawaii tourism authority.

TAC, FIN

HB 609

RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.

Increases the $31,000,000 cap on the 17.3% in transient accommodations tax (TAT) collections that are designated to the Hawaii Convention Center to $33,000,000. Increases from 32.6% to 34.0% the amount of TAT revenues to be deposited into the Tourism Special Fund. Decreases from 5.3% to 3.9% the amount of TAT revenues to be deposited into the TAT Trust Fund

TAC, FIN

HB 997

RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.

Repeals the TAT trust fund. Increases the ceiling amount that may be transferred from the TAT to the convention center enterprise special fund. Readjusts TAT fund percentages earmarked for specific purposes.

TAC, FIN

HB 1654

RELATING TO TRANSIENT ACCOMMODATIONS TAX.

Adds transient residential vacation rentals to definition of transient accommodations to make them subject to the TAT. Creates a moratorium on TAT registration of new transient residential vacation rentals effective 6/1/06 subject to the enactment of county ordinances and/or rules specifically regulating their operation in residential areas.

TAC, FIN

HB 998

RELATING TO HOTEL CONSTRUCTION AND REMODELING TAX CREDIT.

Adjusts the hotel construction and remodeling tax credit to 8% on 7/1/05, 4% on 7/1/09 and repeals the tax credit on 7/1/12.

TAC/EDB, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

 

COMMITTEE ON ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

8:30 a.m.

Conference Room 312; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 1434

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Amends the renewable portfolio standard law to clarify the events considered as outside a utility's control in meeting the standard, direct the public utilities commission to establish an intrastate renewable energy credits trading program, implement penalties and alternate compliance mechanisms, and study green power pricing.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 1019

RELATING TO GREEN BUILDING.

Requires the incorporation of Leadership in Energy in Environmental Design gold standards for buildings constructed or substantially renovated with funding consisting of fifty per cent or more in state funds.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 1017

RELATING TO SOLAR ENERGY.

Allows for the installation of solar energy devices on any privately owned single-family residential dwelling or townhouse, with limited restrictions. Requires that all new dwelling units be equipped with a conventional solar panel hot water system or its equivalent in energy efficiency.

EEP, CPC/JUD, FIN

HB 523

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Establishes a buydown renewable energy program and a rebate program for purchasers of photovoltaic energy-generating systems.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 1435

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.

Increases the tax credit for solar thermal energy systems and photovoltaic energy systems. Makes credit permanent.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 797

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES.

Repeals the sunset date of January 1, 2008 for the Renewable Energy Technologies Tax Credit.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 1018

RELATING TO NET ENERGY METERING.

Increases the capacity amount of an "eligible customer-generator" from not more than 50 kilowatts to not more than 500 kilowatts. Amends the billing period for net energy metering from monthly to annually.

EEP, CPC

HB 606

RELATING TO STANDARDS FOR NET METERED RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS.

Simplifies requirements for interconnecting net metered renewable energy systems.

EEP, CPC

HB 1436

RELATING TO ENERGY.

Appropriates funds to reconvene the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum to develop an action plan, timeline, and benchmarks, and to further engage Hawaii's leaders and stakeholders in implementing the Forum's visions, concepts, and recommendations for Hawaii's preferred energy future.

EEP, FIN

HB 1647

RELATING TO UNDERGROUNDING OF OVERHEAD UTILITIES.

Adopts a state policy of favoring underground utilities. Establishes a conversion fund for sustained incremental conversion of overhead utilities.

EEP, CPC, FIN

HB 786

RELATING TO RENEWABLE ENERGY.

Provides for the organization of renewable energy cooperatives to generate, transmit, and sell electricity to their membership; authorizes issuance of revenue bonds to finance costs related to constructing, upgrading, and acquiring transmission facilities; exempts cooperatives from the public utilities commission regulation, except for interconnection agreements.

EEP, CPC, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

Conference Room 329; State Capitol

8:30 a.m. AGENDA:

HUS/LAB only:

HB 694

RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS OF THE OFFICE OF YOUTH SERVICES.

Allows the OYS to obtain criminal history and child abuse record information on employees, prospective employees, and volunteers of its providers and subcontractors in certain positions.

HUS/LAB, JUD, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

8:45 a.m. AGENDA:

HUS only:

HB 598

RELATING TO CIVIL ACTIONS.

Limits special damages claims in civil actions when such claims arise out of medical or other health care services paid for by a government program, such as Medicare or Medicaid.

HUS, JUD, FIN

HB 1060

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Requires legislative approval before the department of human services can seek a medicaid waiver from the federal government.

HUS, LMG, FIN

HB 801

RELATING TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

Requires establishment of CPS proceedings database. Defines "abuse". Requires state criminal conviction record checks for people who report child abuse. Requires law enforcement authority to conduct initial investigation. Requires police to consult with CPS worker before assuming custody. Requires probable cause to believe child subject to imminent harm.

HUS, JUD, FIN

HB 938

RELATING TO CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

Requires that the child protective review panel review proceedings taken prior to the issuance of a court order upon the request by the child's family and makes decision available to court in any subsequent proceedings. Adds persons who represents family interest to those who may be appointed to review panel.

HUS, JUD

HB 1009

RELATING TO THE AT-HOME INFANT CHILD CARE PROGRAM.

Establishes the At-Home Infant Child Care Program for the State.

HUS, FIN

HB 829

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION TO HALE MAHAOLU FOR PERSONAL CARE PROGRAM.

Makes a grant-in-aid appropriation to Hale Mahaolu for its personal care program.

HUS, FIN

HB 937

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the department of human services to abolish the cap on enrollment in the QUEST medical assistance program.

HUS, FIN

HB 373

RELATING TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH.

Appropriates funds to nonschool-hour programs for children or youth enrolled in school.

HUS, FIN

HB 1530

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST PALOLO CHINESE HOME AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Palolo Chinese Home in financing the capital costs related to the expansion, construction, and rebuilding of its facilities.

HUS, FIN

HB 802

RELATING TO INDIVIDUAL DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTION TAX CREDIT.

Increases the individual development account contribution tax credit from 50% of the amount contributed to 100% of the amount contributed.

HUS, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

Decision making only:

HB 243

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Increases standard of need from the 1993 federal poverty level to an annually updated poverty level for the current year. Includes the general assistance (GA) and aged, blind, and disabled programs for the calculation. Removes limitation on making GA payments only from total appropriations made for GA.

HUS, FIN

HB 244

RELATING TO PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.

Requires the Department of Human Services to recognize individuals who have not received a decision on their application for public assistance within 45 days to be presumptively eligible until an eligibility decision is made.

HUS, FIN

 

COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 229; State Capitol

AGENDA:

The committee will be briefed by Mr. Lance Gima, the Chief of the Bureau of Forensic Sciences of the California Department of Justice, on the use of DNA technology in solving crimes.

No public testimony will be accepted.

 

COMMITTEE ON TOURISM & CULTURE AND COMMITTEE ON LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

9:00 a.m.

Conference Room 325; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 471

RELATING TO THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY.

Clarifies administrative authority of Hawaii tourism authority; empowers HTA to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and community groups to develop and implement programs to improve visitor and resident safety. Establishes convention center enterprise special fund and tourism special fund outside of the state treasury.

TAC/LAB, FIN

Decision making to follow.

 

 

COMMITTEE ON LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

Tuesday, February 8, 2005

9:30 a.m.

Conference Room 309; State Capitol

AGENDA:

HB 1275

RELATING TO THE HAWAII LIVING WAGE LAW.

Requires private firms contracted by state government to pay covered workers a Hawaii living wage of $9.43 an hour, to begin on 7/1/05 and adjusted thereafter. Requires DLIR to implement living wage. Establishes temporary living wage advisory committee to evaluate law.

LAB, FIN

HB 1134

RELATING TO MINIMUM WAGES.

Raises the minimum wage.

LAB, FIN

HB 1214

RELATING TO PREVAILING WAGES.

Provides for the manner in which the prevailing wages for laborers and mechanics on public work projects and certain private work projects is to be established. Allows all individuals to bring suit for injunctive relief for violations of chapter 104.

LAB, JUD, FIN

Decision making to follow.