Department of Education

On January 20, 2003 the Department of Education (DOE) provided the House Finance Committee with information regarding budget priorities for the upcoming biennium. During the briefing it was noted that the DOE would be subject to budget cuts proposed by the Governor for the current fiscal year and into the next biennium. Recent communication between the Department of Education and the Department of Budget and Finance indicate differences with respect to the details of budget cuts proposed. The Board of Education, at it's February 6, 2003 meeting addressed some of these issues.

The Superintendent of Education has been invited, and will provide the Committee with an update on the impacts of the $25 million budget cut to the Department of Education.

MAKING EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE OFFICES OF THE GOVERNOR AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

Appropriates emergency funds for the staffing of the offices of the Governor ($1,000,000) and the Lieutenant Governor ($141,000).

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, HEALTH INSURANCE PORTABILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT (HIPAA) COMPLIANCE.

Appropriates funds for an emergency appropriation ($2,179,400) for compliance with the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR THE HAWAII HEALTH SYSTEMS CORPORATION.

Appropriates funds for an emergency appropriation ($14,000,000) to the Hawaii Health Systems Corporation to offset the unplanned, unanticipated and unbudgeted increase in Employees' Retirement System and Health Fund payments.

MAKING AN EMERGENCY APPROPRIATION FOR MEDICAID.

Appropriates emergency funds ($83,865,198) for the medical assistance program for reimbursement to its health care providers and pay for related prescription expenses for the fiscal year 2002-2003.

RELATING TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

Clarifies the purpose for the use of tobacco settlement moneys earmarked for the Department of Human Services. Appropriates the accumulated moneys in the tobacco settlement special funds for DHS children's health programs.

RELATING TO STATE GOVERNMENT.

Extends the sunset date of the core government functions advisory commission by 1 year, from 6/30/03 to 6/30/04.

RELATING TO THE STATE INTERNET PORTAL.

Continues the functions provided by the Access Hawaii Committee to 2005.

RELATING TO BONDS.

Clarifies authority of county directors of finance to establish certain details of bonds issued by the counties.

RELATING TO BONDS.

Allows counties to establish certain details of bonds issued by the counties.

RELATING TO UNCLAIMED PROPERTY.

Appropriates money out of the Unclaimed Property Trust Fund for fiscal years 2003-2004 ($313,888) and 2004-2005 ($313,888) to pay for the operating expenses of the program.

RELATING TO THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT CODE.

Extends the preference in the public procurement code to state resident contractors who form joint ventures that meet statutory criteria.

RELATING TO PROCUREMENT.

Specifies that for government purchases under $25,000, the inclusion of general excise and applicable use tax in an offer or bid for a government contract shall not be considered by the purchasing agency as part of the cost aspect of the bid or offer.

RELATING TO ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT.

Allows purchase of goods, services, and construction to be made through online electronic procurement.

RELATING TO THE MANAGEMENT OF FINANCING AGREEMENTS.

Prohibits agencies from entering into new financing agreements for capital improvement projects, including certificates of participation, after June 30, 2003.

RELATING TO UTILIZATION OF FEDERAL FUNDS.

Prohibits the Governor and the Director of Finance from restricting any state agency's ability to expend federal grant moneys if already approved by the granting federal agency.

RELATING TO TAXATION APPEALS.

Repeals the requirement that a taxpayer must pay a disputed tax before filing an appeal concerning that tax with the Tax Appeal Court.

RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF TAXES.

Corrects an inadvertent regressive effect on taxpayers with adjusted gross incomes (AGIs) of $50,000 or less created by Act 190, Session Laws of Hawaii 2002, which amended the payment threshold for avoiding the estimated tax underpayment penalty. Conforms Hawaii's laws to Internal Revenue Code by lowering the minimum estimated tax payment to 100% for prior year returns.

RELATING TO THE AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF OBSOLETE TAX LAWS.

Amends or repeals obsolete statutory tax provisions.

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT SERVICES.

Exempts sales of goods and services to the State, including contracting, from the general excise tax. Changes the central service assessment for special funds to 5% of all costs (rather than 5% of all revenues). Repeals all special fund exemptions from the central service assessment.

RELATING TO STATE FUNDS.

Eliminates certain funds that do not meet the criteria for continuation, and transfers excess balances from these special and revolving funds to the general fund.

Decision making to follow.

RELATING TO CONFORMITY OF THE HAWAII INCOME TAX LAW TO THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE.

Short form bill to amend Hawaii's income tax law to conform with the changes to the Internal Revenue Code.

RELATING TO HEPATITIS B IMMUNIZATION.

Requires students below age 18 entering the UH system for the first time to show proof of full immunization against hepatitis B prior to enrollment. Provides for a grace period of  ____ days to show proof.

RELATING TO A CENTER FOR NURSING.

Establishes a center for nursing at the University of Hawaii, governed by board of directors. Requires center to conduct research on staffing needs for nurses and other assistive healthcare personnel. Requires 10% of all revenues collected by board of nursing to be deposited into center for nursing special fund.

RELATING TO NURSING EDUCATION.

Establishes a nursing loan program and appropriates funds to provide loans to nursing candidates.

RELATING TO TUITION WAIVERS FOR TEACHERS.

Establishes a new program to be administered jointly by the Department of Education and the University of Hawaii to provide teachers with tuition waivers for professional development.

RELATING TO TEACHER EDUCATION.

Creates a tuition reimbursement program for individuals who complete a state-approved teacher education program in Hawaii and who teach in the Hawaii public school system for a minimum of 6 consecutive years.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Appropriates funds for the University of Hawaii college of education to hire teachers to provide teacher training for UH Manoa and UH Hilo instructional faculty.

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS FOR CHAMINADE UNIVERSITY.

Authorizes the issuance of special purpose revenue bonds to assist Chaminade University.

RELATING TO A COLLEGE SAVINGS PROGRAM TAX CREDIT.

Establishes a college savings program tax credit.

RELATING TO ACCESS TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.

Allows qualified immigrant students who have attended in-state high schools for at least two years to qualify for resident tuition rates.

HB 129

HD1

RELATING TO BRIDGE TO HOPE.

Appropriates funds to the Bridge to Hope Program. Expands eligibility to include Temporary Assistance to Other Needy Families.

RELATING TO HUMAN RESOURCES.

Exempts UH from payroll balances being lapsed. Establishes a separate procedure for abolished positions at UH.

RELATING TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

Allows the UH to carry over general funds from one year to the next.

HB 893

HD1

RELATING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII.

Allows the University of Hawaii to carry over five per cent of general fund appropriations to the next fiscal year.

HB 176

RELATING TO THE WEED AND SEED PROGRAM.

Expands the current weed and seed program with the Department of Public Safety and nonprofit corporations.

HB 1277

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE III, SECTION 16, OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF HAWAII, TO PROVIDE THE LEGISLATURE WITH THE POWER TO RECALL A BILL PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR.

HB 320

HD1

RELATING TO RISK MANAGEMENT.

HB 411

HD1

RELATING TO THE PROHIBITION OF DISCRIMINATION BY PUBLIC ENTITIES AGAINST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

HB 1572

HD1

RELATING TO PARKING FOR DISABLED PERSONS.

HB 189

HD1

RELATING TO EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES FOR SEX ASSAULT SURVIVORS IN EMERGENCY ROOMS.

Authorizes hospitals to provide emergency contraception to sexual assault survivors.

HB 1402

HD1

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Extends the sunset provision for home and community-based case management agencies and community care foster family homes to July 1, 2005. Requires a report prior to sunset. Appropriates funds.

HB 925

RELATING TO ELDER ABUSE.

Requires the DOH to conduct criminal history record checks of operators and employees of skilled nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities, adult residential care homes, adult foster homes, and assisted living facilities; requires the DHS to conduct checks on adult day care centers.

HB 1192

RELATING TO BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ADULT SERVICES PROGRAMS.

Requires the Department of Human Services to establish standards, which shall include criminal history record and adult and child protective service record checks, to ensure the reputable and responsible character of service providers who have direct contact with individuals receiving services through the adult services programs.

HB 641

HD1

RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS.

HB 554

HD1

RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.

HB 969

HD1

RELATING TO COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

HB 1166

HD1

RELATING TO THE UNIFORM LIMITED PARTNERSHIP ACT.

HB 1092

HD1

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

HB 1221

RELATING TO THE GARNISHMENT OF COMMITTED PERSONS' MONEYS.

HB 413

RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS.

HB 675

HD1

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO PREVENT CONDEMNATION OF TRUST LANDS.

HB 1512

RELATING TO CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND A TASK FORCE STUDY.

HB 470

RELATING TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT.

HB 737

HD1

RELATING TO CLEAN WATER.

HB 476

HD1

RELATING TO CONSERVATION OF AQUATIC LIFE, WILDLIFE, AND LAND PLANTS.

HB 1053

RELATING TO CONSERVATION.

HB 277

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

Allows an administrative hearings officer to impose administrative penalties and fines on a truant child, and the father or mother, guardian, or other person having charge of the truant child.

The purpose of this informational briefing is to discuss the impact a potential war would have on the State's economy. Representatives of the hotel industry will be present to discuss this issue.

HB 604

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Authorizes counties to permit solar energy facilities in agricultural districts.

HB 1110

RELATING TO MICROORGANISM IMPORT.

Authorizes the Department of Health and Tripler Army Medical Center to import microorganisms for laboratory diagnostics without review and permit approval by the Department of Agriculture to prepare for bioterrorism acts and other public health emergencies in a timely manner.

RELATING TO AGRICULTURE.

Creates an agricultural zone program.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE CONTROL OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

Appropriates funds to control invasive species, including fireweed.

RELATING TO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS.

Appropriates funds for agricultural irrigation projects statewide.

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PROJECTS.

Authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds and appropriates funds to acquire land to expand the Kahuku agricultural park, establish an agricultural dual line water system in upcountry Kula, and fund capital improvement to the Molokai irrigation system.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR TARO RESEARCH.

Appropriates an unspecified amount for research on taro disease and related problems.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

Appropriates $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2004 and $2,500,000 for fiscal year 2005 for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to fund agricultural research and market development.

RELATING TO THE ISSUANCE OF SPECIAL PURPOSE REVENUE BONDS TO ASSIST PROCESSING ENTERPRISES.

Facilitates the processing of cacao beans from Keaau, the maintenance of fields, and construction of required facilities for the growth, harvest, and processing of cacao beans and the sale and export of cocoa products through an on-site visitor center. Issues special purpose revenue bonds for this purpose.

RELATING TO ORGANIC LABELING.

Prohibits the labeling of agricultural products as "organic" unless the method of production has been so certified. Requires certifying agents to register and be accredited by the USDA. Establishes administrative penalties.

RELATING TO THE HAWAII HOME LOAN PROTECTION ACT.

Creates the Hawaii Home Loan Protection Act to protect the homes and equity of individual borrowers.

RELATING TO HOME LOAN PROTECTION.

Prohibits mortgage brokers from engaging in predatory lending practices.

RELATING TO HOUSING.

Requires the HCDCH to deduct 30% of a family's earned income when calculating their rent for federal low-income housing purposes.

HB 948

HD1

RELATING TO EARNED INCOME DEDUCTION FOR PUBLIC HOUSING RENT CALCULATION.

Requires the HCDCH to adopt a written policy to deduct per cent of earned income when calculating a families rent for federal low-income housing.

RELATING TO THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the HCDCH to establish and manage special funds held outside of the state treasury.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR YOUTH SERVICES.

Appropriates funds for youth service centers.

RELATING TO QUEST MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

Enables DHS to pay for QUEST services at federally qualified health centers at a rate not less than the amount paid to other providers in the same geographic area for comparable services. Appropriates funds.

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the Department of Human Services in verifying student enrollment in school for purposes of determining eligibility for food stamps, to verify both the student's enrollment status and regular attendance.

RELATING TO GENERAL ASSISTANCE.

Upon determination and certification of either mental or physical disability of a general assistance recipient, allows failure to pursue appropriate medical treatment, if due to circumstances beyond the control of the recipient.

RELATING TO A COMMISSION ON FATHERHOOD.

Establishes the Commission on Fatherhood within the Office of the Governor to provide for a statewide program, on a permanent and continuing basis, to promote healthy family relationships between parents and children that are father-friendly and inclusive. Requires Governor's Office to provide staff and administrative support to the commission.

RELATING TO THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF HAWAII.

Authorizes the HCDCH to establish and manage special funds held outside of the state treasury.

RELATING TO THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD.

MAKING AN APPROPRIATION FOR THE NEEDS AND RIGHTS OF CHILDREN.

HB 606

RELATING TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.

Transfers the office of community services from the department of labor and industrial relations to the department of human services.

Decision making to follow.

RELATING TO HOUSING PRACTICES.

Prohibits discrimination against prospective tenants by landlords based on source of income. Also requires the HCDCH, as a public housing agency, to partner with landlords in order to increase participation in rental assistance programs.

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires Hawaii to comply with federal requirements to maximize the receipt of federal matching funds to support the State's efforts to delink welfare and medical assistance. Appropriates $ in FY 2003-2004 and $ in FY 2004-2005.

RELATING TO HUMAN SERVICES.

Requires the department of human services to abolish the cap on enrollment in the QUEST program.

RELATING TO MEDICAID.

Specifies criteria that sets medicaid payments at a level that fairly compensates providers.

RELATING TO QUEST.

Appropriates $1 to provide enabling services under QUEST.

RELATING TO THE MEDICAID PRESCRIPTION DRUG EXPANSION PROGRAM.

Allows the income eligibility limit for the Medicaid Prescription Drug Expansion Program to be lower than 300 per cent of the federal poverty level.

RELATING TO LONG-TERM CARE AND ELDER WELLNESS.

Creates 2 elder wellness demonstration projects, for a 2-year period, to support continued independent living for elders in their own homes. Appropriates $200,000 in FY 2003-2004 and FY 2004-2005.

RELATING TO TAX CREDIT INCENTIVES FOR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

Provides a $1,000 per month income tax credit for primary health care providers who establish practices in state enterprise zones. The tax credit is limited to a period of five years.

RELATING TO A LONG-TERM CARE TAX CREDIT.

Provides a refundable net income tax credit to encourage the purchase of long-term care insurance.

RELATING TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION.

Establishes the South Kona wilderness area to be administered by DLNR.

RELATING TO COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT.

Provides that the edge of vegetation shall not be considered in determining the shoreline when the edge of vegetation was created or extended by plantings done by human intervention.

RELATING TO THE SHORELINE.

Clarifies the definition of "shoreline" to mean the edge of vegetation growth, or the upper limit of debris left by the wash of the waves, whichever is farthest inland.

RELATING TO THE SHORELINE.

Clarifies the definition of "shoreline" to mean the upper reaches of the annually recurring high seasonal surf.

RELATING TO THE KANEOHE BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL.

Requires the council to encourage the development of educational resources that integrate existing facilities at He'eia State Park, the King Intermediate School, and the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology in order to increase the public's appreciation of the ecological and cultural assets of Kaneohe Bay.

HB 1128

RELATING TO HIGH TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.

Exempts lands held by High Tech Development Corporation from the management of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

RELATING TO THE DIAMOND HEAD STATE MONUMENT.

Creates the Diamond Head state monument special fund. Authorizes the issuance of $2.5 million for the planning, design, and construction of a Diamond Head state monument interpretive center.

RELATING TO IMPLEMENTATION OF A FIXED RAIL TRANSIT SYSTEM.

Requires DOT, in conjunction with both the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization and the City and County of Honolulu, to develop an action plan for implementation of a fixed rail transit system on Oahu.

HB 86 HD1 RELATING TO LAND USE – Replaces two of the four at large WLH

members of HCDA with one each from lists of prospective appointees

submitted from the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the

President of the Senate.

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Replaces two of the four at large members of HCDA with one each from lists of prospective appointees submitted from the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate.

RELATING TO HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.

Appropriate funds to promote passage of Federal Recognition bill in Congress.

RELATING TO LANDOWNERS' LIABILITY – Encourages landowners to allow land and water access to personnel and volunteers of invasive species control or eradication these control and eradication purposes.

RELATING TO WHARFAGE FEES.

Exempts interstate and intrastate shipping cargo from wharfage fees at intermediate ports within the State.

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.

Authorizes the issuance of commercial driver licenses to eligible persons domiciled in Hawaii.

RELATING TO COMMERCIAL DRIVER LICENSING.

Extends reciprocity to persons with a valid commercial driver's license issued by another state or a Canadian province.

RELATING TO STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING.

Updates the statutes pertaining to statewide transportation planning to reflect current practices and requirements.

RELATING TO HARBORS.

Limits increases in wharfage fees by the department of transportation to the percentage, if any, by which the consumer price index for a calendar year exceeds the consumer price index for the prior calendar year.

RELATING TO TRAFFIC FINES.

Authorizes counties to impose by ordinance additional fines for violation of state traffic laws. Requires judiciary to prepare citation forms. Establishes method to contest fines; requires traffic violations bureau to collect fines and remit to county semi-annually.

RELATING TO TAXATION.

Provides the counties with the option of imposing an ad valorem motor vehicle tax in lieu of the current motor vehicle weight tax.

RELATING TO MOTOR VEHICLES.

Permits motor vehicle backup warning beepers to be disabled between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. if the vehicle is equipped with a rear view camera system.

RELATING TO LAND USE.

Establishes a minimum lot size for agricultural districts that are subdivided after June 30, 2003.

RELATING TO STATE AGRICULTURAL LEASES.

Generally, enhances the law regulating agriculture leases on state land.

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LEASES.

Ensure the long-term productive utilization of state agricultural parks and other public lands classified for agricultural use under the jurisdiction of the department of agriculture.

RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.

Transfers the disposition of public lands within an agricultural district from the department of land and natural resources to the department of agriculture.

RELATING TO THE DELEGATION OF ALLOCATION AUTHORITY UNDER THE STATE WATER CODE.

Gives equal authority to the Board of Agriculture to that granted to the county water agencies for the allocation of the use of water for agricultural irrigation purposes.