286 House Bills Up For Third Reading: Toll Roads, Move Over Bills

State captiol, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

The state House is considering 286 bills today on third and final reading.  The meeting began at 9 a.m. and includes several items introduced by Maui lawmakers.  Items of interest on Maui include:

HB2789 Relating to Highway Safety: The bill was introduced by Rep. Joe Souki of Maui.  The measure seeks to establish a photo speed imaging detector system program. It also would authorize counties to administer the program. Under the bill, there is a requirement that proceeds of fines be expended in the county from which they were collected, for generation of the program.

HB2790 Relating to Highway Safety:   This bill, also introduced by Rep. Souki, seeks the establishment of a photo red light imaging detector systems program.  It would authorize counties to administer the program, as stated in the previous bill.

HB2736 Relating to Promotion of Controlled Substances:  Seeks to extend prohibition of promoting a controlled substance in, on, or near schools, school vehicles, or public parks to include federal or state public housing projects and complexes. The item was introduced by Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran of Maui.

HB2655 Relating to Labor: Rep. Kyle Yamashita of Maui introduce the which which seeks to direct the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a state-funded training program to expand the workforce investment activities administered by the DLIR under the federal Workforce Investment Act. It would also allow Employment and Training Fund moneys to be used for a period of one year for costs to administer, manage, report, and oversee Title I programs funded under the federal Workforce Investment Act of 1998 for which insufficient federal funds were allocated.

HB2319 Relating to Economic Development:  The item was introduced by Rep. Angus McKelvey.  It proposes the establishment of a Venture Accelerator Funding Program under the Hawaii Strategic Development Corporation to assist the state’s technology businesses to compete for investment capital.

HB2325 Relating to Broadband:  If passed, HB2325 would require the state and counties to approve, approve with modification, or disapprove all broadband-related permits within 45 business days. If no action is taken, the application would be deemed approved on the 46th business day under the bill.  The measure was introduced by Rep. Kyle Yamashita, and has a sunset date of June 30, 2017.

HB2324 Relating to Broadband:  Rep. Yamashita of Maui also introduced a broadband bill that seeks to exempt the upgrading and new construction of broadband facilities on state property from state and county permitting processes. The item would require a report to the legislature. The proposed effective date is July 1, 2012, with a sunsets on June 30, 2017.

HB2869 Relating to the Economy: This bill, introduced by Rep. Angus McKelvey, seeks to extend the motion picture, digital media, and film production tax credit to January 1, 2025 from January 1, 2016. It further proposes to raise the qualified production tax credit ceiling to $8 million.

HB2862 Relating to Aerospace high Technology Districts:  This bill would authorize aerospace high technology parks as a permitted use within an agricultural district on land with soil classified as overall (master) productivity rating class C, D, or E. It would require the parks to obtain a special permit.  The bill was introduced by Rep. Angus McKelvey.

HB2873 Relating to the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems:  Also introduced by Rep. McKelvey, this bill seeks to transfer the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems from the University of Hawaii to the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism’s Office of Aerospace Development. It would also establish a PISCES board of directors.

HB1611 Relating to the Sunshine Law:  This bill would allow multiple board members to attend the same public gatherings and community events that are not related to any matter over which the board is currently exercising its authority, and meets requirements for permitted interactions. The bill, introduced by Rep. Gil Keith-Agaran, would also allow multiple members to attend the same conferences and seminars if the member produces a public report and meets requirements for permitted interactions. It would further allows notice of board meetings to be sent to persons requesting notice by email.

HB2145 Relating to Economic Development: Rep. McKelvey introduced this item. If passed, it would express as state policy, the delineation of the key economic sectors of importance for economic diversification in Hawaii and identification of key projects within those sectors that are important to the long-term growth and success of those industries.

HB2153 Relating to Toll Roads: Rep. Joe Souki of Maui introduced this piece of legislation that would authorize the director of transportation to impose toll charges on existing highways or construct new toll roads. It would provide for agreement with private entities to construct, operate, and maintain toll roads. The bill would also prohibits toll roads where there is no alternative route available for use without a toll being charged.  The measure would also require a prior feasibility study.

HB2030 Relating to the Statewide Traffic Code:  This bill would require motorists when passing a stationary authorized emergency vehicle with its visual signals activated on a highway, to vacate the lane directly next to the stationary authorized emergency vehicle, or reduce driving speed until clear by a specified distance of the stationary authorized emergency vehicle. The bill, more popularly known as the Move Over Bill was introduced by Rep. Gil Keith Agaran.

HB2760 Relating to Traffic Safety: Rep. George Fontaine of South Maui introduced the item, which seeks to prohibit the use of mopeds on bicycle lanes and bicycle paths.  The measure would also prohibit operating a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle while using a mobile electronic device, and provide penalties for violations.

HB2264 Relating to Employment Security:  Rep. Kyle Yamashita introduced the measure.  Under the bill, employer contribution rates would be increased to the state unemployment compensation fund with an effective date of July 1, 2013.