Legislative Update – February 7

Senator Slom's first weekly press conference 2-1-11

State Senator Sam Slom held the first of his weekly press conferences in his office on Tuesday, Feb. 1 where he discussed several issues with members of the media. Among the current issues now being debated in the legislature are but not limited to the following: Emergency budget appropriations, a special fund for the Lt. Governor’s office, the streamline tax, information privacy, vehicle rental surcharge taxes, “Death With Dignity”, banning and closing down the aquarium fish industry, restriction of eminent domain powers for public use and extracurricular activity opportunities for home schooled children. The Senator will be holding another press conference tomorrow (Feb. 8 ) at his office in State Capitol Room 214 starting at 9:00 am.

JUDGE SABRINA McKENNA

Circuit Court Judge Sabrina McKenna‘s nomination to the Hawaii State Supreme Court was passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a unanimous 5 – 0 margin. Senator Slom voted with the majority citing her experience as one of the reasons why he voted in the affirmative. Judge McKenna nomination will now be taken up by the full Senate in a floor vote that will likely occur as early as this week.

GOVERNORS’ APPOINTEES

Several of the governor’s nominees are up for vote or hearings this week. Among them are Transportation Director nominee Glenn Okimoto (GM 516) whose nomination goes before a full vote in the Senate today, as well as Dept. of Hawaiian Home Director designate, Albert “Alapaki” Nahele-a. Later this week the Senate Agriculture committee will be taking up the nomination of former State Senator Russell Kokobun (GM 504) at 2:45 pm on February 10. The Senate Water, Land and Housing Committee will hold a hearing on the nomination of William Aila (GM 517) to the Dept. of Land and Natural Resources at 1:15 pm on February 12.

DEATH WITH DIGNITY BILL

A new physician assisted suicide bill will be heard today in the State Senate Health Committee. The so called “death with dignity” bill (SB 803) gets its public hearing in the Capitol auditorium starting at 2:45 pm today (Feb. 7). This bill will allow a terminally ill, competent adult to receive medication to end life. Doctors would prescribe the medication. Senator Slom has opposed physician assisted suicide for years and will vote against the passage of this bill.

STREAMLINE TAX BILL

Many bills to increase taxes are on tap. Today (February 7) the internet “streamline tax” bill will be heard in the Senate Economic Development and Technology committee starting at 1:15 pm. If this bill is approved, Hawaii will join other states in the taxation of internet transactions such as purchases from popular websites like Amazon.com. Senator Slom opposes all bills that create new taxes or increase current taxes.

SENATOR SLOM’S BILLS

Three of Senator Slom’s bills get hearings this week.

First up is SB 878, designating the Hawaiian Hoary Bat as the official State Land Mammal. That bill will be heard in the Senate Hawaiian Affairs committee starting at 3:15 pm today, Room 224. There is a website set up for information on this bill and the Hawaiian Hoary Bat.

The Senate Education Committee will hear SB 871 which will allow home schooled students to participate on an equal basis in extracurricular activities offered at the public school they would otherwise be required to attend. The hearing is scheduled for Friday, February 11 in State Capitol Room 225 starting at 1:15 pm.

The Senate Public Safety and Government Operations Committee will hold a hearing for SB 1147 on Saturday February 12 starting at 9:00 am in State Capitol Room 229. The bill will restrict eminent domain powers of the counties to ensure that private property, if acquired by a county through its eminent domain powers, is acquired only for public uses and not for private use.

VIDEO FROM LAST WEEK’S PRESS CONFERENCE

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