01-21-2015, 01:45 AM
Overview of issues and possible bills from island representatives. Some Puna focused details below.
http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...sion-begin
Sen. Russell Ruderman and Rep. Joy San Buenaventura will lead on the lava front.
Both will introduce bills to fund feasibility studies for a lower Puna harbor in case lava cuts transportation routes; provide emergency aid to the Puna Community Medical Center and charter schools impacted by the flow; and address property insurance needs.
The Puna representatives also are teaming up to improve elections following the closure of polling places in their districts during the last primary election following Tropical Storm Iselle.
San Buenaventura, D-Puna, said her bill will reduce the state chief elections officer’s term from four to two years. The freshman legislator said that will create more accountability.
Ruderman, D-Puna, Ka‘u, said his bills would require all-mail elections and that the state Election Commission have hearings on neighbor islands.
Additionally, San Buenaventura, an attorney, said she will introduce a bill to lift the cap on the counties’ share of the transient accommodation tax, reduce marijuana penalties, and require residents of private subdivisions to enter mediation with their homeowners associations prior to filing lawsuits.
...
Ruderman is taking a different approach to the issue. His bill would state the counties can adopt their own laws on GMO agriculture.
“That will be a fight both ways,” he said regarding the two bills.
Ruderman said he will introduce bills to require the state Agribusiness Development Corporation to offer half its new leases to “food-based farming” and not export crops, allow certain foods made at home to be sold and allow farmers to grow hemp.
Albizia control also is on his list. Ruderman said he will introduce a bill regarding the removal of the fast-growing, brittle trees from near utility lines.
http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/loc...sion-begin
Sen. Russell Ruderman and Rep. Joy San Buenaventura will lead on the lava front.
Both will introduce bills to fund feasibility studies for a lower Puna harbor in case lava cuts transportation routes; provide emergency aid to the Puna Community Medical Center and charter schools impacted by the flow; and address property insurance needs.
The Puna representatives also are teaming up to improve elections following the closure of polling places in their districts during the last primary election following Tropical Storm Iselle.
San Buenaventura, D-Puna, said her bill will reduce the state chief elections officer’s term from four to two years. The freshman legislator said that will create more accountability.
Ruderman, D-Puna, Ka‘u, said his bills would require all-mail elections and that the state Election Commission have hearings on neighbor islands.
Additionally, San Buenaventura, an attorney, said she will introduce a bill to lift the cap on the counties’ share of the transient accommodation tax, reduce marijuana penalties, and require residents of private subdivisions to enter mediation with their homeowners associations prior to filing lawsuits.
...
Ruderman is taking a different approach to the issue. His bill would state the counties can adopt their own laws on GMO agriculture.
“That will be a fight both ways,” he said regarding the two bills.
Ruderman said he will introduce bills to require the state Agribusiness Development Corporation to offer half its new leases to “food-based farming” and not export crops, allow certain foods made at home to be sold and allow farmers to grow hemp.
Albizia control also is on his list. Ruderman said he will introduce a bill regarding the removal of the fast-growing, brittle trees from near utility lines.