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It's Conference Week!
This week will likely be the most important and chaotic of the session. Conference Committees are now meeting to negotiate differences between the Senate and House bill versions. Much of this will depend on passing the State budget, The budget must be agreed on before many bills can move out of conference.
The good news is that two of our bills, HB1529 (Burial Councils) and HB2626 (Hawaiian Fishponds), were agreed upon by both the House and Senate, have passed final reading, and are being transmitted to the Governor to be signed into law or vetoed.
I was disappointed that a handful of our bills made it through the Senate, only to not be heard in their final Senate committee, Ways & Means. This includes HB2544 (Essential Rural Medical Air Transportation), which was critical to our District.
As we reach the end of this session, I am preparing an end-of-session Legislative Report, which will be mailed throughout our district. We are also gearing up for the interim and scheduling site visits and meetings with community to help establish priorities for next year's Legislative Session. I look forward to meeting with many of you, sharing my reflections on this past year as well as learning about your priorities and concerns. Whether in person or through calls and email, I so appreciate when our constituents reach out.
Me ke aloha,
Mahina
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Funding Released for our Community! | |
I am happy to announce that the Governor's office released Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding for three District 13 projects last week, including:
$1,300,000 for the Hāna High and Elementary School multipurpose athletic field
$5,510,000 for Molokai High School Gym Renovations, which includes hurricane shelter retrofitting and renovation improvements, and
$100,000 for runway repaving at Molokai Airport
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Coming down to the finish line...Conference! | |
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As previously mentioned, conference committees reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of bills "still alive". Bills must move out of conference and be decked for final reading by the Final Decking deadlines (April 25 for non-fiscal bills, April 26 for fiscal bills). Public Access Room has provided this video to explain what happens during the next few days.
During conference, legislators work on final versions of the bills they want to send to the governor. No more public testimony is accepted, but you can still make your voice heard. Learn about what goes on, how to advocate, and how to keep track of things during conference.
Conference Procedures
Please take a look at the procedures that have been established for the conference period. You'll find them at the bottom of the Legislature's homepage (capitol.hawaii.gov) or by going to the "Legislative Info" page under the "Laws & Research" tab.
The procedures cover everything from the advance notice required to open conference (24 hours), what qualifies as quorum, and specific times that negotiations must end, reports be filed, and bills decked.
Keeping Track of Things
To make things a little easier to follow, use the "Conference Committee" page. Select it from the bars on the left of the "Reports and Lists" page (you can find the "Reports and Lists" page under the "Laws & Research" tab of the Legislature's website). To see which bills have been assigned conferees by at least one chamber, choose the "All Measures in Conference" report. Explore the links available.
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What Happened with HCR117/HR98? | |
On April 4, I gave a floor speech in opposition to HCR117/HR98. This resolution was problematic because it implied that by funding the East Maui Water Authority and the Department of ʻŌiwi Resources the County may be demonstrating fiscal imprudence. Click on the above video to watch my remarks about this resolution and its companion, HR98. I am relieved that the concurrent resolution was not heard in the Senate and will not pass. | |
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On Friday, April 12, the Legislature sponsored the 15th annual Art at the Capitol, which celebrates the arts in all forms.
The event featured ballet and modern dance performances by Ballet Hawaiʻi, live music performed by the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony, an Art of Tea presentation by Urasenke Hawaii, as well as many other different presentations within the building.
Members of the public took self-guided tours of Senate and House offices to browse the pieces of art on display. Thank you to all who were able to stop by this year to participate in this exciting event!
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Proposed Papahānaumokuākea
National Marine Sanctuary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has released for public comment, the draft designation documents for the proposed Papahānaumokuākea National Marine Sanctuary. The Division of Aquatic Resources is supporting the process for NOAA’s national marine sanctuary designation for Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. The national marine sanctuary would be an additional layer of protection over the marine areas of the Monument and does not replace or remove any other protections or the existing co-management structure of the Monument.
A national marine sanctuary designation would add the conservation benefits of the national marine sanctuary system by applying additional protections and management tools. For more information, questions, and comments visit the NOAA website.
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Virtual Field Trip Brings Hawaiʻi Forest Birds into Classrooms
Students across Hawai‘i are being offered rare access to learn about endangered Hawaiian forest birds. During 2024, which is the ‘Year of the Forest Birds’ (ka Makahiki o Nā Manu Nahele), the focus is on five troubled species. A way to spread information and to educate keiki is through the production of what is known as a virtual field trip: a collection of 360˚ images, videos, and interviews that allow students to learn about places and species they might not get to see in person.
Dr. Josh Atwood, Division of Forestry and Wildlife Information and Education Specialist, produced the latest field trip, as well as several others over the past four years. According to Atwood, acceptance and utilization of previously produced virtual field trips have been good, and his team is currently working with the Department of Education to align the virtual field trips with curriculum standards.
The full article: Bringing Hawaii’s birds into Classrooms: Virtual Field Trip is a collection of 360-degree images, videos, and interviews.
For more information on the program and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, click here.
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Sanctuary Ocean Count and Great Whale Count | |
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Ocean Count promotes public awareness about humpback whales, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities. On March 30, 424 volunteers collected data from 46 sites across all the main Hawaiian Islands and counted 855 whale sightings throughout the state.
Site leaders tally humpback whale sightings and document the animals' surface behavior during the survey, which provides insight into humpback whales; and activity from the shorelines of Kaua'i, O'ahu, Molokai, and Hawai'i Islands. This event provides a snapshot of trends in the relative abundance of whales and is one of the world's longest-running community science projects. Both counts take place three times during peak whale season annually on the last Saturday in January, February, and March.
Preliminary data detailing Sanctuary Ocean Count whale sightings by site location are available here.
Additional information is available on the sanctuary’s website.
Pacific Whale Foundation’s Great Whale Count data may be found here, along with additional information at www.mauiwhalefestival.org.
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Compost Reimbursement Program
Now Accepting Applications
The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Plant Industry Division is accepting applications for the Compost Reimbursement Program. The program reimburses agricultural producers for the cost of purchasing compost, including transportation costs. Under the program, compost must be purchased from a certified processor, retailer, or wholesaler licensed to do business in Hawaiʻi.
Qualified agricultural operations include commercial agriculture, aquacultural facilities, livestock, poultry, apiary, and landscaping activities. The deadline to submit invoices is Wednesday, May 1. Visit their website for more information.
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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.
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Rep. Mahina Poepoe
District 13 House of Representatives
415 S. Beretania Street Room 331
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 586-6790
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