Money Committees to Begin Final Review of State Budget

State Capitol photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

The House and Senate money committees will begin conference committee meetings on House Bill 500, relating to the state budget on Tuesday, April 21, 2015.

The House Committee on Finance and Senate Committee on Ways and Means have until May 1, 2015 to agree to a final version of the biennium budget.

Last week, lawmakers passed more than 100 bills each out of their respective chambers ahead of the final crossover deadline.

Among key bills passed by the Senate were: HB321, HD1, SD2 that establishes a system of medical marijuana dispensaries and production centers; and HB365, HD1, SD1 which appropriates money for body cameras for police officers.  Among the significant bills passed by the House were SB1028 that attempts to harmonize the requirements of the Affordable Care Act with those of Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care; and SB1291 that establishes a regulated system of medical marijuana dispensaries and production centers.

Maui lawmakers that will participate in the conference committee meetings include Rep. Lynn DeCoite, Rep. Kyle Yamashita, and Sen. J Kalani English.

Budget worksheets detailing appropriations in the overall state, judiciary, and Office of Hawaiian Affairs budget bills are available on the state Capitol website.