RELATING TO CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING.

Repeals prohibition against displaying campaign signs more than forty-five days prior to and ten days following an election.

RELATING TO CAMPAIGN SPENDING.

Limits aggregate contributions by any person or entity to not more than $25,000 in any calendar year; repeals requirement that contributions from separate entities be treated as a contribution from a single entity if one entity finances or controls the activities of another contributing entity; treats a corporation and any person owning at least a 35% interest in the corporation as a single person for purposes of applying campaign spending laws; requires that qualifying contributions to receive public funds come from individual Hawaii residents; repeals limits on number of fundraisers; limits family and personal funds contribution in the aggregate to $25,000; allows unlimited contributions through separate segregated funds; punishes intentional falsification of a required report as a Class C felony.

(Please note: The Committee on TMG will hold its decision making on the above measure(s) on Friday, February 28, 2003 at 1:00 pm in conference room 229.)

SB 469

RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES.

Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for any employer to include in an employment document as a condition of hiring, any provision interfering with the protected right of an employee to file a charge in an investigation or relinquish any right or protection.

SB 694

SD1

RELATING TO THE WHISTLEBLOWERS' PROTECTION ACT.

Extends protection under whistleblower protection act to public employees who report information relating to a condition that poses a danger to public health or safety, unless the employee knows that the report is false. Creates an exception to the two-year statute of limitations period to require commencement for aggrieved employees who are physically or mentally incapacitated to begin upon their return to work. (SD1)

SB 764

SD1

RELATING TO THE WHISTLEBLOWERS' PROTECTION ACT.

Expands the protection provided under the Whistleblowers' Protection Act for employees who report situations that demonstrate danger to public health and safety, which they observe during the course of their work. Creates an exception to the two-year statute of limitations period to require commencement for aggrieved employees who are physically or mentally incapacitated to begin upon their return to work. (SD1)

SB 921

SD1

RELATING TO HAWAII WORKSITE TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER ACT.

Entitles employers to obtain TROs to protect worksite. (SD1)

SB 931

SD1

RELATING TO HAWAII VICTIMS LEAVE ACT.

Entitles domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking victims to paid or unpaid employment leave. (SD1)

RELATING TO CONTESTED CASES.

Mandates mediation as a required step for contested case hearings.

RELATING TO CONCILIATION PANELS.

Requires a claimant or the claimant's attorney to have a claim evaluated by a qualified physician, or make a good faith effort to consult with a qualified physician before a claim can be filed with the Medical Claims Conciliation Panel. Provides options for parties who prefer to utilize forums other than the MCCP to evaluate their cases, while still requiring that the claim be evaluated by a qualified physician, or that a good faith effort be made to consult with a qualified physician before a lawsuit based on the claim can be filed with the courts. Amends the tolling provision of the statute of limitations when claims are filed with the court-approved programs, and reduces the processing time from 18 months to 12 months.

SB 1638

RELATING TO COSTS OF PROCEEDINGS IN WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS.

Gives the supreme court or appellate board discretion for awarding proceeding costs and reasonable attorney's fees if appeal is initiated by an employee and the employer loses. Sets standards for this discretion.