HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2008

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro, Chair

Rep. Marilyn B. Lee, Vice Chair

Rep. Karen Leinani Awana	Rep. Sharon E. Har	Rep. Bob Nakasone	Rep. Kymberly Marcos Pine
Rep. Della Au Belatti	Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu	Rep. Karl Rhoads	Rep. Gene Ward, Ph.D.
Rep. Tom Brower	Rep. Michael Y. Magaoay	Rep. Roland D. Sagum, III
Rep. Mele Carroll	Rep. Joey Manahan	Rep. James Kunane Tokioka
Rep. Faye P. Hanohano	Rep. John Mizuno	Rep. Colleen Rose Meyer

NOTICE OF HEARING

DATE:

WEDNESDAY, February 20, 2008

TIME:

3:30 P.M.

PLACE:

Conference Room 308

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

A G E N D A # 3

RELATING TO CAREGIVERS.

Amends the temporary disability insurance law to permit an eligible employee to collect up to two weeks of temporary disability insurance benefit payments to care for a family member with a qualifying disability. Effective 07/01/2059.

HLT/HSH, LAB, FIN

RELATING TO HEALTH CARE.

Establishes the Hawaii Health Corps that will provide loan repayment and stipends for physicians and dentists who agree to work in health professional shortage areas and as first responders during civil defense and other emergencies. Expands the Enterprise Zone Business Tax Credit, general excise tax exemption, and other business incentives to include physicians and dentists who establish or maintain practices in areas designated as enterprise zones.

HLT, HED, FIN

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

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

AGR, EEP, FIN

RELATING TO BIOSECURITY.

Authorizes issue of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds for the joint biosecurity inspection facilities at Honolulu international airport and Honolulu harbor.

AGR/EEP, FIN

RELATING TO LAND CONSERVATION.

Provides a tax credit to encourage the preservation and protection of conservation land in the State.

WLH, FIN

RELATING TO SMART GROWTH.

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to establish a system of greenways and trails. Requires the Office of Planning to coordinate smart growth planning.

WLH, FIN

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Requires 1 percent of general revenues accrued from July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2014, to be deposited into the newly-created University of Hawaii Repair and Maintenance Special Account for the repair and maintenance of UH facilities. Expresses the Legislature's intent to authorize and appropriate, in each fiscal year of the fiscal period July 1, 2008, to June 30, 2014, at least an additional $50,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the repair and maintenance of UH facilities. Provides that, if the $50,000,000 in bonds is not appropriated in a fiscal year, general excise tax revenues to make up the shortfall shall be automatically transferred to the special account. States that the appropriations of special account moneys and general obligation bond funds shall be in lump sums so that UH has the discretion to identify the repair and maintenance projects that should be funded. Appropriates $50,000,000 from the special account in fiscal year 2008-2009 for the repair and maintenance of UH facilities. Authorizes and appropriates $50,000,000 in general obligation bonds for the repair and maintenance of UH facilities.

HED, FIN

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

· Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

· The date and agenda no. of the hearing;

· Measure number;

· If you will be testifying in person or submitting written testimony only;

· The Committee the comments are directed to; and

· The number of copies the Committee is requesting.

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER: 2 copies to Room 306 in the State Capitol. It is required that the copies be on one side of an 8½ " X 11" sheet;

FAX: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to 586-6001 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (Neighbor Islands);

EMAIL: For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to FINtestimony@Capitol.hawaii.gov. Please include the measure number, date of hearing, and agenda no. in the subject line or click on the appropriate "Email Testimony" link above.

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns. This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Committee Clerk at 586-6200 at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements. Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

Selected meetings are broadcast live. Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

________________________________________

Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro

Chair