What's Happening at the Capitol

Halfway There!

House bills successfully passing all their committee referrals crossed over to the Senate last week, and the House received the Senate bills. I am happy to report that several bills from our legislative package successfully crossed over and are now being considered by Senate committees.

These bills include our Medical Charter Flights bill (HB2544), which proposes to provide medical charter flights for those in rural communities to improve access to medical care on urban islands and our Land Conservation Fund bill (HB1592), which proposes to increase the maximum amount of conveyance tax revenues allocated to the land conservation fund. Additionally, our Teacher Housing Voucher bill (HB2514), Firefighter Staffing bill (HB1530), Hāna Highway Repair and Maintenance bill (HB2702), Emergency and Disaster Definitions bill (HB2515), and Microenterprise Kitchens bill (HB1591) have all crossed over.

The House also passed the 2024 Budget Bill draft, which will now be considered by the Senate. As a member of the House Committee on Finance, I attended numerous meetings and hearings considering priorities as well as the need to provide funding for recovery efforts on Maui.

For details on other bills crossing over, please click here for the House Mid-Session Highlights report. Please donʻt hesitate to contact us, I always appreciate hearing from our community.

Me ke aloha,

Mahina

Maui Students Provide Powerful Testimony

On Wednesday, March 12th, we heard testimony on SB3327 SD1, which proposes changes to the Commission on Water Management Resources (CWRM) to allow the commission greater independence. Students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Kekaulike from Maui as well as students from Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Lahaina later in the hearing. After the hearing, the haumana from Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'o Lahaina were able to visit Rep. Poepoe and talk story. Watch the video below to see the testimony from both groups below.

Rep. Poepoe's 2024 Resolutions

During each session, Representatives are usually allotted five resolutions for introduction. While a resolution does not have the same legal impact as a bill, it may establish task forces and studies or encourage government and private entities to take action. Our five resolutions include:

HCR88: Encourages the state of Hawaii to adopt a proposed constitutional amendment that voters can choose to consent to during the election that guarantees all individuals the right to a clean environment and a stable climate. (Companion: HR74)

HCR135: Requests the Department of Transportation to study and recommend solutions for supply chain issues happening on Lāna'i due to barge delays. (Companion: HR116)

HCR157: Urges the State and the United States to recognize the air transportation crisis on Molokai and Lāna'i. (Companion: HR136)

HCR158: Requests a task force to be established to recommend changes to the structure and administration of the Commission of Water Resource Management (CWRM) to improve its operations and protect its mission. (Companion: HR137)

HCR196: Urges the Hawaiian Home Commission to consult beneficiaries of the Hawaiian Home Commission Act regarding an alternate waitlist and award prioritization based on lineal and generational descendants for Hawaiian Homelands located in Hana, Maui. (Companion: HR176)

HB2544 - Providing Essential Rural Medical Air Transportation is scheduled to be heard on March 20th!

TESTIMONY NEEDED!

HB2544 (providing essential rural medical air transportation), will be heard on Wednesday, March 20, at 1 p.m. in Conference Room 225. The measure is being considered by the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services and the Committee on Commerce & Consumer Protection in a joint hearing. The notice and agenda can be found here.

HB2544 establishes within the Department of Health a two-year pilot project to charter flights to provide rural island residents with reliable transportation to medical care on urban islands.

Please go to the Legislature's website, https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov, to submit written testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing. Create a free account on the website, or sign in to an existing account, then click on the "Participate" drop-down menu and select the "Submit Testimony" option to get started. While submitting your written testimony, you will be prompted to indicate if you would also like to testify at the hearing in-person or remotely via videoconference. If you wish to testify via videoconference during the hearing, please review the detailed step-by-step instructions for testimony procedures before you submit your written testimony.

For general help navigating the committee hearing process, please contact the Public Access Room at (808) 587-0478 or par@capitol.hawaii.gov. You can also visit their website at https://lrb.hawaii.gov/par/.

It is essential to let our decision-makers know how vitally important regular and reliable air transportation is for adequate health care and access to medical services. This bill has passed the House and now is being considered by the Senate. Passing this committee is important. Mahalo for your support and please let us know if you have any questions, 808-586-6790.

Expanding Preschool Open Doors to Serve More Children and Families

For the POD Period of July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

Applications Due: March 28, 2024

Interested families may apply online or should request an application as soon as possible from PATCH by visiting patchhawaii.org or calling 808-791-2130 or toll-free 1-800-746-5620. PATCH can also help families locate a preschool convenient for them.

OHA Grant Solicitations ARE NOW OPEN!

OHA has lowered the barriers for nonprofit organizations wanting to apply for funding! These changes include fewer eligibility requirements, decreased matching funds requirements, and more streamlined application and reporting.

Learn about the new OHA Grant Application process at one of the in-person trainings, or the online training option. Visit OHA.org/Grants to apply for a grant or register for a training. Solicitations will be open till March 29, 2024

Come Visit the Capitol!

The Capitol is OPEN to the public. However, it will continue to offer hybrid options for hearings and testimony.

Capitol Hours: Building hours for the State Capitol are 7:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Photo identification is required for entry into the building. All guests will receive an entry wristband upon completing the security checkpoint.

Paid Public Parking: The Capitol parking lot has reopened for paid public parking.

Rep. Mahina Poepoe

District 13 House of Representatives

415 S. Beretania Street Room 331

Honolulu, HI 96813

(808) 586-6790