HOUSE AGREES TO REPEAL TRAFFIC CAMERA PROGRAM

In a surprise move today, the House Transportation Committee revived Senate Bill 2077 and successfully won unanimous approval to repeal the controversial State traffic photo enforcement program, commonly known as "van cams."

Rep. Joseph Souki, committee chair, said he and the committee fought to preserve the program because of the positive impact it was having in reducing excessive speeding. But recent developments led him to conclude that the program "could not be saved."

In concurring, Rep. Nestor Garcia, chair, Public Safety Committee, said, "we have done all we could to make the highways safe" with this program, but it is clear that the entire situation was devolving. He alluded to the State Senate's earlier vote to repeal the program by a 25 - 0 vote.

In other major action, the House today approved a host of measures on third reading that are designed to stimulate economic activity and reform education. The House also approved transfer of $100 million from the Hurricane Relief Trust Fund to restore vital public services that were cut from the State Budget, according to Majority Leader Marcus Oshiro.

"We are optimistic that the tax credits we are supporting will re-awaken investment into Hawaii, create much needed jobs, and improve our economy," Oshiro said.

Economic stimulus bills passed on third reading included:

• Senate Bill 3021, Senate Draft 2, House Draft 1. Expands the tax credit for motion picture and film production, including commercials, relating to the costs of wages and salaries up to a maximum of $25,000 per employee.
• S.B. 2831, S.D. 1, H.D. 1. Extends the deadline for the 4 percent tax credit on residential construction and remodeling to Dec. 31, 2005. The original measure, now Act 10, was approved by the Third Special Session of 2001.
• S.B. 2383, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Broadens the types of projects that are eligible for the qualified project construction tax credit by expanding the definition of "qualified hotel facility" to include property on which commercial or recreational use is permitted.
• S.B. 2907, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Establishes a $50 million tax credit for the proposed resort, marine attractions, and educational facilities development at the Ko Olina Resort.
• S.B. 2985, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Provides State tax credits for improvements made to federally qualified health centers.

Education measures passed today included:

• S.B. 3018, S.D. 1, H.D. 2. Decentralizes governance of Hawaii's public schools to the school/community level, outlines the process for electing local school boards, defines the duties and responsibilities of local school boards and the superintendent of education, and establishes a joint House-Senate task force.
• S.B. 2068, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Accelerates and enhances repair and maintenance of public schools under the Hawaii 3R's program by indemnifying private service providers who contract with Helping Hands Hawaii.
• S.B. 2097, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Increases the Department of Education's accountability for expending federal impact aid funds and other federal funds by requiring semiannual expenditure reports and repealing the Governor's power to authorize DOE to expend such funds.
• S.B. 2512, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Provides for more funding equity for New Century Charter Schools, establishes transitional funding for New Century Conversion Charter Schools, and directs the State Auditor to develop a system for funding allocation to charter schools.

• S.B. 2036, S.D. 1, H.D. 2. Strengthens accountability of charter schools.

The proposal to transfer a portion of the Hawaii Hurricane Trust Fund to restore essential public services won approval but its ultimate fate was muddled by the State Senate's decision to send the companion House bill back to committee, Oshiro said.

"It does complicate things considerably," Oshiro said. "If we are unable to use the Hurricane Fund, then we may be forced to make the adjustments in the budget. I hope the public realizes that the cuts in services will be substantial -- in some cases, very substantial."

The House also overwhelmingly passed a bill to reform Hawaii's campaign finance reform laws. S.B. 2431, S.D. 2, H.D. 1 would ban political contributions from companies, unions, and those who receive government contracts.

"This is a major step in removing the corrosive influence of big money in the political process. It will help to restore public faith in government and perhaps encourage more citizen participation," he said.

Other major bills approved by the House included:

Long Term Care

• S.B. 2416, S.D. 2, H.D. 2. Establishes the Hawaii Long-Term Care Financing Program but does not provide for a mandatory tax or assessment. Establishes a Board of Trustees to administer and establish criteria for the program, including determining a funding mechanism.

Consumer Protection

• S.B. 2179, S.D. 2, H.D. 1. Protects consumers against exorbitant gasoline prices by establishing a cap on the wholesale price of gasoline sold in Hawaii.

Environmental Protection

• S.B. 2505, S.D. 1, H.D. 2. Authorizes the Office of Environmental Quality Control to override an agency's determination of whether its proposed action requires and environmental impact statement or an environmental assessment with respect to projects such as wastewater treatment facilities, waste-to-energy facilities, landfills, oil refineries, and power generating facilities.

Crime and Public Safety

• S.B. 996, H.D. 1, and S.B. 997, H.D. 1. Amends the Constitution to permit prosecution of Class C felonies via information. Allows defendants to depose witnesses when prosecution is via information, and establishes a task force to conduct nationwide study of alternatives in criminal charging procedures.

House Democrats also recalled a bill to strengthen protections against the exploitation of minors in the sex trade.

S.B. 2234 was amended on the House floor to require that employers maintain accurate and up-to-date records of employees, including penalties for employers who fail to maintain such records or who illegally employ minors.

Judiciary Committee chair Eric Hamakawa, who had earlier deferred action on the measure because of the existence of two similar measures still alive, said, "in the end, we believed it was important to clearly restate the House's position against the exploitation of minors in the sex trade."

The measure was approved and will be voted on third reading when the House reconvenes on Thursday, after a scheduled one-day recess.

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