Q. Long term care is still such a critical issue for Hawaii residents both the quality and availability of care. How has the Legislature responded?
A. The Legislature addressed the availability of adult residential care homes (ARCH) by raising the ceiling on the number of nursing facility level residents who reside in type I ARCHs from two patients to three (HB2157, HD1, SD1, CD1; Act 120). View full action brief
Q. Bring-your-own-beveraged (BYOB) liquor establishments are currently unregulated under any class of liquor license. Yet, BYOBs can be as loud and stay open as late as any licensed bar or nightclub. Some have said that BYOBs should be regulated. Will this be the case?
A. For all practical intent and purposes, BYOBs look like liquor establishments and should be regulated accordingly. Unregulated BYOB establishments have created major disturbances in some urban areas for the past four to five years. These BYOBs are adjacent to numerous condominiums and the noise and disruptive behavior from patrons of these BYOB businesses are a constant nuisance to nearby residents. View full action brief
Q. I heard that the Legislature passed a bill allowing civil unions this session. Is that true?
A. Yes. This session, the Legislature passed H.B. 444 H.D.1 S.D.1 which recognizes civil unions in Hawaii. The intent of HB444 is to grant individuals who enter into a civil union the benefits, protections, and responsibilities as those who are married, without revising the definition or eligibility requirements of marriage. View full action brief