Each Representative can introduce up to ten bills for the 2004 Legislative Session. Chairs and leadership can introduce much more. The following are some of the bills I introduced this session:
House Bill 2571 authorizes the formation of a purchasing pool for small employers to purchase health care insurance to meet the requirements of the prepaid health care law. I created this bill to help entrepreneurs and small businesses get reasonable health insurance rates for their employees.
House Bill 2573 allows the Director of Finance to invest up to 10% of state short-term investment moneys in linked investments. Moneys invested in financial institutions would be made available as a loan to an eligible borrower who is an entrepreneur in the State. A cap on loans will be set. The lending institution will pay an interest rate to the State for the certificate of deposit of not more than two percent below the current market rates.
House Bill 2568 requires the Department of Education to establish the Academy of Hawaii for gifted and talented students in order to develop the potential of students who have demonstrated superior achievement through the provision of appropriate educational opportunities, to be located on the University of Hawaii -–West Oahu campus. As we are attracting investments and companies in the knowledge-based industries, we need to prepare our students to be active participants in this historical movement.
House Bill 2569 prohibits items made of seashells from being labeled “Niihau” if not 100% made of Niihau shells and made within the State. Allows items made with at least a to-be-named percentage, but less than 100% of Niihau shells to be labeled as to percentage content. My intent is to protect the brand “Niihau shells” from money-makers using inferior shells and lei-making. Further, this bill will keep the market value high and protect the native Hawaiians in this industry.
House Bill 2570 provides a bonus for public school teachers if state revenues exceed an unspecified amount.
House Bill 2572 establishes the Tourism Diversification and Economic Development Committee to review and prioritize existing tourism diversification and economic development initiatives and facilitate the implementation of initiatives deemed most promising.
House Bill 2781 exempts the Hawaii convention center from the freedom of information law for the Hawaii convention center if compliance would result in a license agreement not being executed by a licensee requesting nondisclosure. The reasoning behind this bill is that companies may want to hold conventions without having to release private information that could endanger their trade secrets.
House Bill 2574 funds an Emergency Rear Exit for Kaleiopuu Elementary School and the Reinforcement of Building G at Honowai Elementary School.
House Bill 2781 exempts booking business records of the Hawaii Convention Center from the freedom on information law. The purpose is to protect a potential licensee’s confidential business information or proprietary information. This measure will encourage more conventions, especially business conventions and further promote Hawaii as being business friendly.
House Bill 2575 makes an appropriation for the continuation and expansion of the project east (environmental and spatial technology) initiative in Hawaii’s public schools.
House Resolution 85 and House Concurrent Resolution 126 requests the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women to maintain and utilize the self-sufficiency standard, where feasible.
House Concurrent Resolution 127 Requests the Department of Accounting and General Services to conduct a study comparing the cost of a new stadium with the cost of maintaining Aloha Stadium.
If you would like to express your support or disagreement with a bill through testimony, please call our office at 586-8490, or e-mail me at repkaramatsu@capitol.hawaii.gov. My staff will track the bill for you and keep you informed when it is scheduled for a public hearing before a legislative committee. Mahalo!
JON RIKI KARAMATSU 