Tag: legislation

  • SB755 exempting government projects from environmental review

    Urgent action request from the Environmental Caucus. This is not a position of the Democratic Party. 

    Our only chance to stop this legislation is to influence the floor votes.  Email our legislators at sen@capitol.hawaii.gov and rep@capitol.hawaii.gov and tell them to vote NO on SB755.

    SB 755 (the “gut and replace bill”) seemed dead because no conference conferees were selected by either the House or the Senate. But wait! There’s a maneuver that legislators can use to pass a bill. The House can agree with the Senate’s version during the floor vote on Tuesday 5/1 and then vote on it.

    In the 4/26/12 Civil Beat article, “Is Calvin Say Holding the Budget Hostage?”(emphasis added throughout), reporter Chad Blair writes: ” … it will be the seventh time in 10 days that conferees have met on the budget … The hold up, sources tell Civil Beat, is the insistence of House Speaker Calvin Say that the Senate accept Senate Bill 755, a measure granting temporary exemption to environmental law in order to expedite state and county construction projects. There are controversial bills every session, obviously, but SB 755 arguably wins the prize this year. … two lawmakers and a third source well-known in legislative circles say that Say has made passage of SB 755 his No. 1 priority and is playing hardball.”

    For whatever nefarious reason(s), Speaker Say really wants this onerous legislation passed and we must do everthing in our power to defeat this SB755.

  • One last try to kill the worst bill in legislative history

    This is posted for Hawaii Thousand Friends.  It is supported by the Environmental Caucus but is not a position of the Democratic Party.

    Dirty Dozen Update & Action Alert, hopefully for the last time…

    SB 2927 & SB 2398 HD2 SD1

    SB 2927 is being heard in conference tomorrow; Tuesday 4/24. Also see SB 2398 below the following:

    Members on Conference Committees are usually members of committees that have heard a bill — but some how, mysteriously, Speaker Calvin Say appointed members of two totally-unrelated committees – McKelvey & Pine (from Economic Revitalization and Business Committee) and Joe Souiki (Chair Transportation Committee)! In short, this move adds two more proponents of the offending bill to the Conference Committee.

    Phone and email as can, the following House & Senate conferees and tell them “Do not pass any form of SB 2927.” For more specific information, see our 4/19 em blast HERE.

    SB 2927 Senate Conferees; Dela Cruz (chair) who introduced the bill; Solomon, Ige (co-chairs); Fukunaga, and Kouchi.

    Donovan Dela Cruz
    Senate District 22 – Kunia Village, Mililani Mauka, Wahiawa. Whitmore, Hale`iwa, Mokule`ia, Waialua, Sunset Beach.
    Phone 808-586-6090
    Fax 808-586-6091
    sendelacruz@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Malama Solomon
    Senate District 1 – Waimea, Hamakua, North Hilo, Rural South Hilo, Hilo.
    Phone 808-586-7335
    Fax 808-586-7339
    E-Mail: sensolomon@capitol.hawaii.gov

    David Ige
    Senator District 16 – Pacific Palisades, Pearl City, Waimalu, Upper ‘Aiea, ‘Aiea Heights.
    Phone 808-586-6230
    Fax 808-586-6231
    sendige@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Carol Fukunaga
    Senator District 11 – Makiki/Punchbowl, Ala Moana, McCully.
    Phone 808-586-6890
    Fax 808-586-6899
    senfukunaga@capitol.hawaii.gov

    NOTE: Les Ihara has been replaced by:
    Kouchi, Ronald (D) – Majority Caucus Leader
    Senate District 7 – Kaua’i, Ni’ihau.
    Phone 808-586-6030 Fax 808-586-6031
    senkouchi@capitol.hawaii.gov

    SB 2927 House conferees: Chang, Cabanilla, McKelvey, Souki, Har Co-Chairs; Pine.

    Chang, Jerry
    House District 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha.
    Phone 808-586-6120
    Fax 808-586-6121
    E-Mail: repchang@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Cabanilla, Rida
    House District 42 – Waipahu, Honouliuli, West Loch, Ewa.
    Phone 808-586-6080
    Fax 808-586-6081
    E-Mail: repcabanilla@capitol.hawaii.gov

    McKelvey, Angus
    House District 10 – Lahaina, Kaanapali, Kapalua, Maalaea, Kihei.
    Phone 808-586-6160
    Fax 808-586-6161
    E-Mail: repmckelvey@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Souki, Joseph
    House District 8 – Wailuku, Waihee, Waiehu, Puuohala, Waikapu.
    Phone 808-586-9444
    Fax 808-586-9499
    E-Mail: repsouki@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Har, Sharon
    House District 40 – Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa.
    Phone 808-586-8500
    Fax 808-586-8504
    E-Mail: rephar@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Pine, kimberly
    House District 43 – Ewa Beach, Iroquois Point, Puuloa.
    Phone 808-586-9730
    Fax 808-586-9738
    E-Mail: reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov

    ~

    HB 2398 HD2 SD1 (Coffman, Evans)
    This terrible bill would transfer development rights of certain lands under the division of boating and ocean recreation and land division to the Public Land Development Corporation, Act 55, the law that “put in the basic wiring” for the The Dirty Dozen. Despite out best efforts, it passed and was signed into law by Governor Abercrombie last year. See Act 55 HERE. Read HB 2398 HD2 SD1 HERE.

    Here, it seems that the legislature is playing poker with the public interest. Inside information tells us that SB 2398 (and other bills) are being held hostage by either the House or the Senate in order to get certain preferred bills passed. SB 2398 appears to be one of those bills. You will note that there are no Senate conferees. That is because the House conferees will meet with themselves to see if they can agree with the Senate amendments; i.e. the current bad language in the bill.

    Maybe the House can agree with the Senate version — but we cannot because the exemptions are glaring. Nothing can be done to “fix” this bill and it should be shelved.

    Call and/or email the following House conferees and all Senate members and ask them to kill this bill because, suffice to say here — it severely shuts out the public, thwarts due process, disfranchises citizens, corrupts public policies and generally undermines democracy.

    House conferees: Chang, C. Lee, Har Co-Chairs; Coffman, Riviere.

    Chang, Jerry
    House District 2 – South Hilo, Waiakea Kai, Kaumana, Keaukaha
    Phone 808-586-6120
    Fax 808-586-6121
    E-Mail: repchang@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Coffman, Denny
    House District 6 – North Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona, Honokohau
    Phone 808-586-9605
    Fax 808-586-9608
    E-Mail: repcoffman@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Har, Sharon
    House District 40 – Royal Kunia, Makakilo, Kapolei, Kalaeloa
    Phone 808-586-8500
    Fax 808-586-8504
    E-Mail: rephar@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Lee, Chris
    House District 51 – Kailua, Waimanalo
    Phone 808-586-9450
    Fax 808-586-9456
    E-Mail: repclee@capitol.hawaii.gov

    Riviere, Gil
    House District 46 – Kaena Point, Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Haleiwa, Waimea, Pupukea, Sunset, Kahuku, Kunia Camp, Poamoho, Wheeler, Laie
    Phone 808-586-6380
    Fax 808-586-6381
    E-Mail: repriviere@capitol.hawaii.gov

    All Senators contact information HERE.

    -###-

    Again, it would be very helpful if you contacted Governor Abercrombie’s office and tell him you are against any version of SB 2927 and SB 2398:

    CONTACT:
    The Honorable Neil Abercrombie
    Phone: 808-586-0034
    Fax: 808-586-0006
    Email HERE

    P.S. Please forward this em to your interested friends and associates,  Mahalo!

  • SB2277 SD1 HD1 passes out of final committee

    BACKGROUND Courtesy of David Henkin, Earth Justice
    In 1997, when the Legislature amended the state’s endangered species law to allow for the incidental “take” (killing, harming, wounding, and harassing) of endangered and threatened species through safe harbor agreements (SHAs) and habitat conservation plans (HCPs), it recognized the importance of keeping close tabs on activities that, if improperly managed, could drive Hawai‘i’s critically imperiled native plants and animals to extinction.  Accordingly, the initial legislation established a five-year sunset on the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ (DLNR’s) authority to issue incidental take licenses, SHAs and HCPs. While the Legislature has twice extended the sunset date, it has affirmed the need for periodic review of DLNR’s performance and consistently rejected requests to remove the sunset date altogether.  House Draft 1 of SB 2277 would lift the sunset date, without providing any alternate checks and balances.
    TALKING POINTS

    1.                   Oversight is critical to ensure that DLNR acts responsibly in issuing licenses to kill and injure endangered species.  Accordingly, the Legislature should either keep the sunset date in place or provide alternate oversight, so that future generations can continue to enjoy our unique native flora and fauna.

    2.                   Proven, effective alternatives to legislative oversight exist.  The Legislature should bring our state law in line with the federal Endangered Species Act, which has – since its inception in 1973 – encouraged citizens to take action to protect imperiled species.

    3.                   Particularly in these difficult economic times, with government services being cut back, it is vital for the Legislature to encourage Hawai‘i’s citizenry to assist in preventing harm to our imperiled plants and animals.

  • Turning a good bill bad

    Bill SB2782 is scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 04-03-12 4:00PM in House conference room 308.

    FIN will vote on HD2.

    HD2 amends SB 2782 to fund the Governors Watershed Initiative by robbing other severely underfunded conservation programs to fund the Governorʻs Watershed initiative.

    This is a perfect example of the fun and games that goes on at the legislature to turn a good bill bad.

    Tell Rep Oshiro to oppose HD2.  Call his office at 586-6200, testify in person if you can and submit you written testimony at http://capitol.hawaii.gov.

  • School Garden resolution

    3/2/12 2pm Rm 309HCR 94 will be heard REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO EXPAND A SCHOOL GARDEN PROGRAM STATEWIDE.

    A high priority of the environmental caucus is the expansion of the school garden program.  Submit testimony by:

    To submit testimony

    1) go to this site:  http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx

    2) Type in “HB1893” in the box under “enter a measure” and click on “submit”

    3) The date, time, etc. for the hearing will appear in green

    4) Then enter your personal information, click on “individual” and click “oppose”

    5) Then scroll down to the “additional comments” box, add your personal comments/
    sentences into the box (OR write up your comments and save as a document, use the “browser” box, and it will upload for you).

    6) Then click the little “I agree to terms” box at the bottom, and hit “SUBMIT”

    It will automatically be sent to the Chair of the Committee.

  • Blue spot zoning in Waianae

    C&C 10:45 Tuesday 3/4 the BLUE SPOT, as was contained within the Waianae Sustainable Communities Plan that sought to designate a regional park in the Nanakuli area, will be discussed in the form of Resolution 12-75 and voted upon in the Parks and Cultural Affairs Committee.

  • Call to action – SB 2511 SD 2 HD 2

    Posted by request of Marjorie Ziegler, ED Conservation Council for Hawaii. Not a position of the Democratic Party, Environmental Caucus.

    Aloha, everyone.  Please call Rep. Marcus Oshiro, Chair of House Finance Committee, at 808 586-6200 today and ask him to please schedule a hearing for SB 2511 SD 2 HD 2 (the plastic bag fee bill).  Today (Friday, March 30) is the last day for Rep. Oshiro to schedule a hearing for this important bill.  The bill has already passed four House committees and two Senate Committees.

    This bill encourages folks to use reusable bags, cuts down on energy, transportation, and solid waste costs, and perhaps most importantly, helps fund the State’s new watershed protection initiative “Hahai no ka ua i ka ulu la’au” “The Rain Follows the Forest.  Currently, we protect only 10% of our essential watersheds; the initiative proposes to double that to 20% in the next 10 years – a very good start if you drink water, bathe, and care about freshwater and our forested watersheds.

    Please call Rep. Oshiro now if can.  This one’s very important.  Let’s not let such a good bill get tabled by one person/committee in the legislature.  Imua!

    Mahalo nui loa!

  • Testify in support of Olelo – deadline April 5

    We ask you to submit testimony to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA) in support of Oleloʻs application for a license to continue providing public access TV to Oahu.

    You can email catv@dcca.hawaii.gov, fax 586-2625, or mail DCCA-CATV, P.O. Box 541, Honolulu, HI 96809

    Some points you may want to cover are:

    •    Why is public access important to you?
    •    What is your personal experience with Olelo’s staff and services?
    •    How has Olelo made a difference in your life? To your organization?
    •    What additional service would you like Olelo to add?
    •    Why should the DCCA renew Olelo’s contract?
    Whatever you can do to help Olelo secure a new contract and protect public access in Hawaii is greatly appreciated.

    Why is Olelo important to the Environmental Caucus?

    Because Olelo produces our workshops that are broadcast live on the Internet so our members statewide can participate in our meetings.  I then edit these shows into half hour segments that Olelo can continue to broadcast and stream to the internet.  OLELO IS OUR VOICE TO HAWAII.

    I attended the DCCA. Thursday evening March 27 and gave personal testimony as an Olelo producer. We listen to oceanic Time Warner call Olelo a corrupt, ineffective organization that should have its budget slashed and its organization dismembered. Their testimony was countered by about 30 very passionate Olelo producers who recounted how positively Olelo has affected their lives. Olelo is the voice of our community.

    Be aware that Oceanic Time Warner is a very powerful foe of public access television in Hawaii. Every year, Oceanic introduces legislation designed to both breakup Olelo as an organization and to slash the Olelo budget. Oceanic takes every opportunity to attack Olelo as they did last night in the DCCA hearing.

    Only your voice can preserve our axis to community-based public television. Take a moment now to express your support for Olelo to the DCCA. The deadline for your testimony is April 5. For more information go to FreeSpeechHawaii.org.

  • Farm Land in double jeprody

    Posting courtesy of Laura Thielen.

    Please read this, and if you are concerned about what is happening, cut and paste the email addresses at the bottom and send an email to the Legislature TODAY.

    The Legislature is poised to pass two bills that will eradicate more high quality farmland than Ho’opili.

    SB 2341 allows vacation rentals on agricultural lands, including the highest production lands.  Even worse, vacation rentals can be the primary use, no farming is required.

    SB 2350 doubles the number of houses permitted on agricultural lots with one ohana dwelling for each farm dwelling.*

    If these bills pass, the number of houses built on agricultural lands will dramatically increase and agricultural lots will be priced for their vacation rental value, not their farming potential.

    The expansion of tourism has already transformed other areas, like Windward Oahu.  The density of some communities doubled when ohana units were allowed.  The vacation rental market dominates many neighborhoods, affecting home prices.

    Nearly 16,000 acres of farmland on Oahu’s North Shore are being marketed for great views or access to the ocean.  These qualities aren’t relevant to farming; they’re relevant to tourism.  The bill permitting vacation rentals as a primary use will destroy any ability to assure these lands remain available for agricultural production.

    The price of Oahu farmland is nearly out of reach for food farms today.  These bills will make it impossible for food farms to operate.  The vast majority of Oahu’s food is grown on rented land.  Will landlords force farms to close when neighboring vacation rentals complain about noise, or when they realize they can increase their rental income by transforming all or some of the property to vacation rentals?

    The Department of Agriculture, Office of Planning, and City and County of Honolulu have all testified against these bills and the Farm Bureau has raised serious concerns.

    Our Constitution requires the State to assure the availability of agricultural lands for agriculture.  The law requires directing non-agricultural uses away from the best farmland.  Several bills before the Legislature this session support increasing local food production.

    How is it that the Legislature on one hand says it supports agriculture, but on the other hand takes action to pass laws that will transform the agricultural district into the rural tourist district?

    The Senate unanimously passed both bills.  They are now at the House Committee on Water Land and Ocean Resources.

    Contact legislators at the links below and tell them to stop SB 2341 and SB 2350.

    Email addresses for Chair Jerry Chang, Vice Chair Sharon Har and Committee members:

    repchang@capitol.hawaii.gov; rephar@capitol.hawaii.gov; repcabanilla@capitol.hawaii.gov; repcarroll@capitol.hawaii.gov; repcoffman@capitol.hawaii.gov; repherkes@capitol.hawaii.gov; repito@capitol.hawaii.gov; repkawakami@capitol.hawaii.gov, repnakashima@capitol.hawaii.gov, repriviere@capitol.hawaii.gov, repthielen@capitol.hawaii.gov

    * While the ohana unit bill was amended to take out Oahu, it just as easily can be put back in, now or next year.

  • The Dirty 8 + a few

    I signed a petition against the bills to gut our environmental reviews.  SB755 now contains many of the exemptions, but other exemptions are in separate bills.  County Plans and Zoning will be able to be ignored and citizen participation is minimized.  SB 2927 allows for development projects in vicinity of rail and bus hubs to be exempt from county planning and zoning.  The environmental laws enacted in the 1970s are under attack, and your help is needed.  Please keep up the pressure.

    The administration is doing everything possible to eliminate all impediments to State projects the Governor wants to implement in the name of jobs.  The proposed legislation in these bills will eliminate environmental review and county plans and zoning and even building codes.  These projects will be implemented with no opportunity for citizen review or oversight.

    Many of these bills have been slipped into the process at the last minute.  SB755 was a gambling bill that was gutted and the permit exemption language was inserted.  It would have snuck through unnoticed except for Henry Curtis and Rep Thielen who alerted the environmental community.

    SB755 is referred to FIN. Email Rep Oshiro at repmoshiro@capitol.hawaii.gov or call his office at 586-6200 and ask him to hold SB755.  If the bill is scheduled for a hearing you can submit testimony by going to capitol.hawaii.gov.  Enter SB755 in the bill search box, then click on testimony and fill out the form.

    Remember who voted for these terrible bills when it comes time for you to vote.

    Bill Sager