Hawaii Legislative Review
How major bills fared at the Capitol
Honolulu Advertiser
May 4, 2008
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/NEWS02/80503070
State lawmakers adjourned the session on Thursday after reviewing hundreds of bills. Here is the status of some of the more significant bills. Bills that have passed have been sent to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature or veto. The governor can also allow bills to become law without her signature. Lawmakers can override vetoes by two-thirds' votes in each chamber. Decisions on environmental bills are listed below. For a complete list on Government, Business/Taxes, Education, Consumer Protection/Labor, Crime, Health/Social Services, and Misc. bills, visit above link.
ENVIRONMENT
PASSED
Solar water heaters
(SB644 SD3 HD3 CD1)
Requires new homes to have solar water heaters beginning in 2010. Allows variances if an engineer or architect finds that solar would be impractical because of insufficient sunshine, would cost more than would be saved by lower utility bills, or if an alternative renewable energy system is used.
EIS responsibility
(SB2808 SD2 HD1)
Gives the Office of Environmental Quality Control authority to determine which agency has the responsibility for preparing an environmental impact statement if it crosses two or more jurisdictions.
Right to dry
(SB2933 SD2 HD2 CD1)
Allows the use of clotheslines on privately-owned single-family homes or townhouses.
Damaged resources
(HB3177 HD1 SD2 CD1)
Increases the maximum fine for violations within the conservation district from $2,000 to $15,000 per violation and allows the Board of Land and Natural Resources to set fines based on the value of the natural resource that is damaged.
Electronic recycling
(SB2843 SD2 HD3 CD1)
Requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices, such as computers, to submit by June 2009 plans to collect and recycle them. Establishes a working group, including television manufacturers, to develop a television recycling program.
Photovoltaic rebates
(SB988 SD2 HD3 CD1)
Authorizes the state Public Utilities Commission to establish a ratepayer-funded photovoltaic rebate program.
Invasive species
(HB2843 HD2 SD2 CD1)
Expands items subject to the inspection, quarantine and eradication service fee to include freight brought in to the state. Changes the inspection fee to be assessed based on net weight of imported cargo.
Noxious weeds
(Act 40; HB2517 HD1 SD1)
Prohibits the sale of noxious weeds; allows noxious weeds to be imported only for research, by permit.
Biosecurity
(SB2850 SD2 HD2 CD1)
Officially establishes a biosecurity program under the state Department of Agriculture to fight invasive species; appropriates $250,000 in general funds for the program.
Greenhouse gas emissions
(HB2507 HD1 SD2 CD1)
Appropriates funds to establish two positions to support the implementation of a law enacted last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels or below by 2020.
Ha'iku Valley
(HB2704 HD2 SD1 CD1)
Establishes the Ha'iku Valley cultural preserve commission to exercise policy and management oversight of the preserve.
Sustainability
(SB2833 SD1 HD1 CD1)
Requires the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Public Policy Center to review the Hawai'i 2050 sustainability plan and report to the legislature.
Taro
(SB2499 HD1 CD2)
Makes taro the state plant on July 1, 2008, rather than Jan. 1, 2025.
FAILED
Plastic bags
Would have prohibited certain businesses from distributing nonbiodegradable plastic checkout bags.
Styrofoam ban
Would have banned the use of Styrofoam takeout food containers.
Light bulbs
Would have phased out and banned lighting products with lead and high mercury content and established a statewide lighting efficiency standard for general purpose lights.
Bottle redemption
Would have required big box stores to operate redemption centers for Hi-5¢ beverage containers
Honolulu Advertiser
May 4, 2008
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080504/NEWS02/80503070
State lawmakers adjourned the session on Thursday after reviewing hundreds of bills. Here is the status of some of the more significant bills. Bills that have passed have been sent to Gov. Linda Lingle for her signature or veto. The governor can also allow bills to become law without her signature. Lawmakers can override vetoes by two-thirds' votes in each chamber. Decisions on environmental bills are listed below. For a complete list on Government, Business/Taxes, Education, Consumer Protection/Labor, Crime, Health/Social Services, and Misc. bills, visit above link.
ENVIRONMENT
PASSED
Solar water heaters
(SB644 SD3 HD3 CD1)
Requires new homes to have solar water heaters beginning in 2010. Allows variances if an engineer or architect finds that solar would be impractical because of insufficient sunshine, would cost more than would be saved by lower utility bills, or if an alternative renewable energy system is used.
EIS responsibility
(SB2808 SD2 HD1)
Gives the Office of Environmental Quality Control authority to determine which agency has the responsibility for preparing an environmental impact statement if it crosses two or more jurisdictions.
Right to dry
(SB2933 SD2 HD2 CD1)
Allows the use of clotheslines on privately-owned single-family homes or townhouses.
Damaged resources
(HB3177 HD1 SD2 CD1)
Increases the maximum fine for violations within the conservation district from $2,000 to $15,000 per violation and allows the Board of Land and Natural Resources to set fines based on the value of the natural resource that is damaged.
Electronic recycling
(SB2843 SD2 HD3 CD1)
Requires manufacturers of covered electronic devices, such as computers, to submit by June 2009 plans to collect and recycle them. Establishes a working group, including television manufacturers, to develop a television recycling program.
Photovoltaic rebates
(SB988 SD2 HD3 CD1)
Authorizes the state Public Utilities Commission to establish a ratepayer-funded photovoltaic rebate program.
Invasive species
(HB2843 HD2 SD2 CD1)
Expands items subject to the inspection, quarantine and eradication service fee to include freight brought in to the state. Changes the inspection fee to be assessed based on net weight of imported cargo.
Noxious weeds
(Act 40; HB2517 HD1 SD1)
Prohibits the sale of noxious weeds; allows noxious weeds to be imported only for research, by permit.
Biosecurity
(SB2850 SD2 HD2 CD1)
Officially establishes a biosecurity program under the state Department of Agriculture to fight invasive species; appropriates $250,000 in general funds for the program.
Greenhouse gas emissions
(HB2507 HD1 SD2 CD1)
Appropriates funds to establish two positions to support the implementation of a law enacted last year to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels or below by 2020.
Ha'iku Valley
(HB2704 HD2 SD1 CD1)
Establishes the Ha'iku Valley cultural preserve commission to exercise policy and management oversight of the preserve.
Sustainability
(SB2833 SD1 HD1 CD1)
Requires the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Public Policy Center to review the Hawai'i 2050 sustainability plan and report to the legislature.
Taro
(SB2499 HD1 CD2)
Makes taro the state plant on July 1, 2008, rather than Jan. 1, 2025.
FAILED
Plastic bags
Would have prohibited certain businesses from distributing nonbiodegradable plastic checkout bags.
Styrofoam ban
Would have banned the use of Styrofoam takeout food containers.
Light bulbs
Would have phased out and banned lighting products with lead and high mercury content and established a statewide lighting efficiency standard for general purpose lights.
Bottle redemption
Would have required big box stores to operate redemption centers for Hi-5¢ beverage containers