New Laws for the New Year 2011

By Wendy Osher

Wailuku Elementary School precinct. File photo by Wendy Osher.

A set of new laws takes effect in the New Year. Among them is a change in the date of Elections in Hawaii. The primary election will be moved to the second Saturday in August to allow enough time for mail to reach uniformed and overseas voters. The previous 45 day separation between the primary and general elections did not allow enough leeway to meet federal mailing deadlines.

A separate law establishes a Chief Information Officer and information technology steering committee within the Office of the Governor. The team will be tasked with developing, implementing and managing a statewide information technology strategic plan.

Hawaii’s four legged friends also have a new law relating to them. The law specifies standards of care that an owner must provide to a pet, including outlining the type of pet enclosures that are acceptable. It also sets conditions for when veterinary care must be provided to assure animals are not subject to cruel treatment.

There’s also a new ignition interlock law for DUI offenders. Click here to see the full story.