#Brandon Elefante
Senate Public Safety Committee pushes forward public protection bills
“These bills address some of the most urgent challenges we’re facing right now in our state,” said Elefante. “We’ve made real progress by passing key legislation on public health, safety in correctional facilities, funding for law enforcement, cracking down on illegal fireworks, improving fire prevention, and supporting our Department of Defense.”
Bill to require nonresident user fees at state parks and trails clears key Senate panel
The Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously recommended passage Tuesday of a bill to set user fees only for nonresidents visiting state parks and trails.
Fireworks task force bill passes out of committee; now headed for final reading
The Hawaiʻi Senate Ways and Means Committee passed Senate Bill 222, which would fund an illegal fireworks task force. Although the amount of funding is not specified, the measure is now headed for third reading on the Senate floor before crossing over to the House of Representatives.
Senate bill would transfer Māla Wharf and Kīhei Boat Ramp to Maui County
Dissatisfied by state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ management of small boating facilities, West and South Maui Sen. Angus McKelvey has drafted a bill to transfer maintenance and operations of Māla wharf in Lahaina and the Kīhei boat ramp to Maui County. Under the bill, the County could set permit fees to generate revenue for the facilities’ upkeep.
Legislative committees to hold joint informational briefing on HECO Wildfire Mitigation Plan
A joint informational briefing hosted by the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, the Committee on Public Safety and Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and the Committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism takes place at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. The purpose of this joint informational briefing is for Hawaiian Electric Company to present its Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which was ordered by the Public Utilities Commission.
Legislature passes Silver Alert bill to protect vulnerable community members
On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the Hawaiʻi State Legislature unanimously passed Senate Bill 2305 SD2 HD2 CD1 to establish a Silver Alert Program to help locate and safeguard missing persons who are particularly vulnerable, including community members who are elderly or are cognitively impaired or developmentally disabled.
Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus holds Easter Basket Drive
Hawaiʻi families in need will benefit from the bipartisan Hawaiʻi Women’s Legislative Caucus’ 25th Annual Easter Basket Drive at the Hawaiʻi State Capitol.
Gov. Green enacts laws to protect beaches, shorelines and public land
Governor Josh Green, M.D., signed three bills into law at a signing ceremony at the Makapu‘u lookout in Waimānalo along with 14 bills signed earlier that seek to support the protection of Hawaiʻi’s beaches, shorelines and public lands.
Maui Senators earn leadership positions and committee assignments
Maui senators secured several key assignments. Senator Lynn DeCoite was named Majority Assistant Floor Leader, and Chair of the Energy, Economic Development and Tourism committee; Senator Gil Keith-Agaran was named Majority Assistant Whip, and Vice-Chair of the powerful Ways and Means Committee; and Senator Angus McKelvey secured the chairmanship of the Government Operations Committee.