24th Legislative Session Underway

The 24th Session of the Hawaii State Legislature opened on January 17 with speeches filled with optimistic promises highlighting high technology, plans for improving the economy to bringing on new "sustainability" and "innovation" initiatives while embracing the use of alternative energy. Several new legislators and many returnees took the oath of office in both the Senate and the House.

A total of 1,995 Senate bills have been introduced. Another 1,967 bills were introduced in the House.

Issues looming large this year include the economy, education, environment and housing. What to do with the $700 million state budget surplus will be the subject of much debate. Governor Linda Lingle proposed a tax refund of up to $100 per person (depending on income) during her January 22 State of the State speech. The majority party wants to use the money to fund items such as education and school maintenance. I favor giving the taxpayers a substantial tax refund.

The need for a second hospital on Maui is gaining momentum. The state turned down another request for a privately funded hospital to be built near Kihei. The reason cited for not approving the new, privately funded hospital is that the facility will compete with the state owned and operated Maui Memorial Hospital. The Governor and I both support the construction of the privately funded hospital. Several bills have been introduced in the legislature to make this happen.

There is still a 5-member Senate minority caucus that includes myself along with Senators Trimble, Whalen, Gabbard and Hemmings. The new Senate President is Colleen Hanabusa.

This year I am introducing more than 70 bills, many of them repealing mandates and taxes. You can download the bill list PDF here: 2007 Slom Bill List

I am on the following committees this session: Commerce, Consumer Protection & Affordable Housing (CPH); Economic Development & Taxation (EDT) and Water, Land, Agriculture & Hawaiian Affairs (WAH).

The first bill crossover date will be on Thursday, March 8. The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn on May 3. A complete calendar of the entire session is posted at the Hawaii State Legislature website: http://capitol.hawaii.gov.