JON RIKI KARAMATSU

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 1756, House Draft 1

Relating to Criminal Procedure

Monday, March 2, 2010

I rise in support.

House Bill 1756, House Draft 1 allows for the expungement of convictions for non-violent offenses after a five year waiting period after the completion of sentencing or probation for the offense to be expunged, whichever is later, before an application for expungement may be filed with the court.  It prohibits the expungement of a conviction for any crime that is not eligible for a deferred acceptance of a guilty plea or nolo contendere plea.  The court shall determine that the defendant is not likely to engage in a criminal course of conduct and that the ends of justice and the welfare of society do not require that the conviction remain on the applicant’s record before issuing an expungement order.

This bill works together with the Judiciary budget bill that includes the funding for the specialty courts that helps our people who commit non-violent crimes to turn their lives around.  Upon completion of their sentencing or probation, an expungement of convictions for non-violent offenses will help these individuals to get jobs and be productive citizens in our community.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 1752, House Draft 1

Relating to Repeat Offenders

Monday, March 2, 2010

I rise in support.

The purpose of House Bill 1752, House Draft 1 is to increase judicial discretion by excluding certain non-violent offenders from the repeat offenders statute requiring mandatory minimum prison terms.  The House is aware that the intent of this bill is to give back to Hawaii state judges discretion in sentencing certain defendants guilty of certain crimes as enumerated in the bill without requiring any minimum jail time or alternative sentencing methods if the circumstances do not require incarceration.  Mandatory incarceration of defendants results in huge costs to the State and does not lead to a reduction in recidivism.  According to the Judiciary, the incarceration of an adult defendant costs about $50,735 per year.  The use of alternative courts, such as drug court or Hawaii’s Opportunity Probation with Enforcement (HOPE) program, costs about $8,000 per year for each defendant.  In addition, the rates of recidivism for defendants graduating from these alternative courts are markedly lower than those leaving incarceration. 

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 2725, House Draft 1

Relating to Animals

Monday, March 2, 2010

I rise in support.

House Bill 2725, House Draft 1 further protects the health and well being of pet animals.  The bill creates a new definition of “primary pet enclosure,” which means any kennel, cage, or structure used to restrict a pet animal to a limited amount of space.  It requires that an area of confinement in a primary pet enclosure provide access to shelter; is constructed of safe materials to protect an animal from injury; enable an animal to be clean, dry, and free from excess waste or other contaminants that could affect the animal’s health ; provide an animal with a solid surface or resting platform that is large enough for the animal to lie down in a normal manner; provide an animal with a solid surface (in the case of a rabbit or guinea pig the surface may be welded wire of sufficient size to allow feces to pass through, yet comfortably support the animal) or resting platform (in the case of birds, a perch) that is large enough for the animal to lie or perch upon in a normal manner.  In addition, the bill mandates that a primary pet enclosure provide sufficient space to allow an animal to easily stand, sit, lie, turn around, and make all other normal body movements in a comfortable normal position for the animal without making physical contact with any other animal enclosure; and interact safely with other animals within the enclosure.

Owners must also provide veterinary care when required to prevent the pet animal from suffering.  The definition of “pet animal” was amended to mean a dog, cat, domesticated rabbit so long as not bred or raised for meat production purposes, guinea pig, or caged birds (passeriformes, piciformes, and psittaciformes only) so long as not bred or raised for egg or meat production purposes. 

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 2250, House Draft 1

Relating to the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act

Monday, March 2, 2010

I rise in support.

The purpose of this bill is to enact the Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act, which was designed to determine the risk of a child being abducted by a parent, and establishes measures to prevent abductions before and after child custody determinations.  Under this Act, courts are authorized to issue an abduction prevention order to, among other things, limit travel, or restrict visitation, and issue a warrant to take physical custody of the child.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 2904, House Draft 1

Relating to County General Plans

Monday, March 02, 2010

I rise in support.

House Bill 2904, House Draft 1 provides that the state general plan shall remain the ultimate controlling authority of land use in the State of Hawaii.  Within all state land use districts other than conservation, the counties have the authority to plan and zone pursuant to sections 46-4 relating to County Zoning and 226-58 relating to County General plans of the Hawaii Revised Statutes.  Even if they are discouraged, land uses that are permitted under: (1) The state general plan; (2) A county’s general plan or development plan; and (3) The county’s current zoning, for a tract of land, shall not be denied for lack of consistency or conformity.”

I would like to clarify that the state general plan should actually be the Hawaii State Planning Act as defined in Chapter 226 in the Hawaii Revised Statutes.

We are emphasizing that a permissible use under Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 205 relating to the Land Use Commission that defines the land use classifications, Hawaii Revised Statutes Chapter 226 relating to the State Planning Act, Hawaii Revised Statutes section 226-58 relating to County General Plans, and Hawaii Revised Statutes section 46-4 relating to County Zoning should be upheld when there are technical differences such as lack of consistency or conformity.  

As reflected in the testimonies on this measure, there is confusion among communities and planning directors of certain counties.  This confusion stems from a misunderstanding of the hierarchy of the land use regulations that are mandated by state law.  In particular, it is believed in some counties that zoning is not effective where it is contradicted by a county general plan.  According to state law, this belief is incorrect. County general plans set goals and limitations to be followed when exercising zoning powers, but it is the zoning ordinances that dictate which uses of land are permissible.

The Hawaii State Planning Act, as codified in Chapter 226 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, requires counties to formulate county general plans that are to “indicate desired physical development patterns for each county and regions within each county.”  Further, such plans “should…contain objectives to be achieved and policies to be pursued with respect to…land use.” These broad policies are just that – policies.

In Chapter 46 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes, the state delegates to the counties the power to zone some of the lands on the islands.  Section 46-4, particularly, requires that ordinances be passed which set out various land use regulations such as restrictions on the location of residential, industrial, and commercial buildings.  These ordinances must “be accomplished within the framework of a long range, comprehensive general plan…” The statute further clarifies that “zoning shall be one of the tools available to the county to put the general plan into effect in an orderly manner.”  As it relates to land use, the county general plan is ineffective until the tool of zoning is utilized.

House Bill 2904, House Draft 1, merely restates the law in a single stroke – obviating the need for an interested party to thumb through the various chapters of the Hawaii Revised Statutes and piece together the various pieces of the land use puzzle.  In effect, it makes clear that zoning ordinances may never be passed that exceed the policies stated in a county general plan.  However, where a county general plan changes and old zoning ordinances remains in place, the county general plan’s policies are not effective with respect to land use until a new zoning ordinance reflecting such policies is passed, except as otherwise provided by state law.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 2724, House Draft 1

Relating to Offenses Against Public Order

Monday, March 02, 2010

I rise in support.

House Bill 2724, House Draft 1 will help protect dogs from cruelty, yet it is flexible enough to allow the training of working dogs in various industries in the state of Hawaii.  Specifically, the bill further defines the offense of cruelty to animals in the second degree by requiring that tethering, fastening, tying, or restraining a dog to a doghouse, tree, fence, or any other stationary object or to a cable trolley system cannot be done in a cruel or inhumane manner.  It requires that a tether or chain cannot weigh more than ten per cent of the weight of the dog tethered, and the tether or chain must have a swivel on at least one end.  Further, one cannot tether, fasten, tie, or restrain a dog younger than two months old.  Finally, in addition to the misdemeanor penalty currently in law, this bill mandates fines of $50 for a first offense and $200 for any subsequent offense.

Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Journal Written Remarks, 3^rd Reading

House Bill No. 2248, House Draft 1

Relating to the Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act

Monday, March 02, 2010 

I rise in support.

The purpose of this bill is to improve interstate adult guardianship and protective proceedings by, among other things, establishing uniform rules regarding court communication, jurisdiction, and transfers of guardianship or conservatorship.

 Thank you.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu

House Floor Speech

House Bill No. 2000, House Draft 2

Relating to the Judiciary

Monday, March 8, 2010

I rise in support.

Mr. Speaker, I am in favor of House Bill 2000 House Draft 2, which is the budget for the Judiciary Branch.  As a reflection of these tough economic times, this measure reduces the Judiciary’s overall budget by $7.8 million for furloughs. 

However, the House recognizes that specialty courts play a huge role in helping those who have gone on the wrong path to get back on the right one.  Keep in mind that approximately 80% of individuals in trouble with the law are involved with drugs.  A high percentage of individuals involved with drugs have family problems, are victims of physical abuse or sexual abuse, and are going through mental challenges such as post traumatic stress disorder and depression.  These programs help individuals to get off of drugs, learn life skills to be productive citizens, but most importantly, it gives them hope that life can be better.   

Moreover, these programs not only changes lives, but save the state a lot of money.  For example, Adult Drug Court operating costs for 387 persons are $3.1 million a year, whereas, it would cost the state $19.6 million a year to put these same individuals in the prison system.  For Juvenile Drug Court, the cost for 65 persons are $1 million a year, whereas, it would cost just under $6.6 million a year for the same individuals if they were placed in the prison system.  

In addition, the House recognizes that the many non-profit organizations participating in purchase-of-service contracts with the Judiciary play a key role in providing essential services to help the people of Hawaii in need of assistance in our legal system. 

Thus, with the specialty courts’ and purchase-of-service contracts’ proven success and cost savings, $1.5 million has been restored in this bill for their services.    

In line with this Judiciary budget bill are two House bills, House Bill 1752, House Draft 1, which gives judges discretion in sentencing for non-violent repeat offenders including sending them to specialty courts and House Bill 1756, House Draft 1 that allows non-violent offenders to expunge their records upon successfully completing their sentencing so that they are able to get jobs and be a productive citizen.  Therefore, these bills together with the budget bill will help individuals to turn around their lives and further save the state billions of dollars in the long run.  Our country and state loves comeback stories, as reflected by many of our books and movies.  Likewise, Hawaii’s specialty courts and non-profit organizations participating in the Judiciary’s purchase-of-service contracts will give our people the opportunity to make the greatest comeback in their lives. 

 Thank you.

Below is a poem I created, “On to the Next One” for those of you facing attacks from negative people or facing tough challenges. Do your best, stay a level ahead, and it’s on to the next one.

On to the Next One

Negative tactics.

So many attacks. 

Blast past it and go on another track.

Up they come.

They think they’ve won.

Too late you’re gone and on to the next one.

– Jon Riki Karamatsu, Saturday, March 6, 2010 –

Matisyahu – “One Day”

Tara MacLean – “If I Fall”

So many people I have known and cared about have passed away.  I think of them as I move forward in life.

February 2010 events Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu attended: Rep. John Mizuno’s fundraiser at Sam Choy’s Breakfast & Crab 2/1/2010, SHRM Hawaii 2010 Legislative Reception at Hawaii State Art Museum 2/4/2010, Construction Industry of Hawaii Shinnen Enkai at YWCA 2/4/2010, Waimea, Hawaii Cherry Blossom Festival (Big Island) 2/6/2010, Honolulu City Park & Recreation’s Valentine Day Dance at Neal Blaisdell Center 2/9/2010, Brian Uy and Alec Sou’s Chinese New Year dinner at Mandalay Restaurant 2/10/2010, Hawaii Animation Studios’ Opening Party 2/11/2010, 8th Annual Hilo Chinese New Year Festival at Kalakaua Park 2/13/2010, LCC Culinary Arts program Annual Scholarship Brunch 2/14/2010, Honowai Elementary School’s Drug-Free Assembly (Made a speech) 2/17/2010, Legislative Health & Wellness Day at the State Capitol 2/18/2010, Waimea Town Celebration (Kauai) 2/19/2010, Co-MC with Marisa Yamane of KHON2 TV news for Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce 58th Cherry Blossom Pearl Ridge Public Appearance 2/20/2010, GLBT Caucus Of The Democratic Party Of Hawaii 2/20/2010, Association of Chinese from Vietnam Cambodia & Laos Annual Spring Banquet 2/20/2010, Honolulu Jodo Shu Fujinkai’s General Membership Meeting 2/21/2010, Izuma Taisha Rev. Daiya & Asuko Amano’s Wedding Luncheon at Pagoda banquet room 2/21/2010, Day Of Remembrance By Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii 2/21/2010, Hawaii Chinese Association’s New Year Party & Installation Banquet at Pacific Beach Hotel 2/21/2010, Hawaii Association of Realtors’ Legislative Day Reception at Mandalay restaurant 2/23/2010, HIPA’s Seventh Annual Leadership Awards Dinner at Hilton Hawaiian Village 2/24/2010, Big Brothers and Big Sisters fundraiser at Ka 2/25/2010, 2010 Family Caregiver Awareness Day at the State Capitol 2/26/2010, caregivers meeting at Filipino Community Center 2/26/2010, Hawaii Teo Chew Association 12th Installation & 23rd Anniversary Annual Spring Banquet at Empress Chinese Restaurant 2/27/2010, Hawaii Ocean Expo at Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall 2010 2/28/2010, and Island Heritage 10th Annual Backyard Jam at Kapiolani Park Bandstand 2/28/2010.

January 2010 Events Rep. Jon Riki Karamatsu attended: Meeting with residents of Leeward Oahu, farmers, and environmentalists at a community leader’s house 1/2/2010, Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce 65th Annual Shinnen Enkai at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii 1/5/2010, Ho’okako’o Corporation Legislative Roundtable Charter Schools and State Schools 1/7/2010, Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii New Years Ohana Festival 1/10/2010, HAPTA (Hawaii Physical Therapy Association) Reception at capitol 1/12/2010, Pacific Resource Partnership Annual Reception at Oahu Country Club 1/12/2010, Outrigger Hotels Hawaii PAC Annual Gathering for 2010 at Outrigger on the Beach 1/13/2010, ARDA breakfast reception at Pacific Club 1/14/2010, Retail Merchants of Hawaii Annual Reception at Pacific Club 1/14/2010, Filipino Chamber of Commerce 2010 Legislative Breakfast at Dole Cannery Ballroom 2/16/2010, Sony Open First Hawaiian Bank skybox 2/16/2010, Ohana Baptist Church Grand Opening Service in Mapunapuna 2/17/2010, Victory over Violence & SGI conference at Hawaii Convention Center 2/17/2010, Kauai Councilman Derek Kawakami’s gathering at Wes Yonamine’s office 1/18/2010, Rep. Blake Oshiro’s fundraiser at Alston Hunt 1/19/2010, Dealer Day at the State Capitol 1/21/2010, Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii’s 8^th Annual Legislative Business Forum at Hiroshi’s Eurasian Tapas 1/21/2010, HMSA’s breakfast at Pacific Club 1/22/2010, Planned Parenthood at Royal Hawaiian Hotel 1/22/2010, Honolulu Japanese Junior Chamber of Commerce 58^th Cherry Blossom open Ceremonies at Honolulu Club 1/23/2010, Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights Awards Banquet at Waialae Country Club 1/24/2010, Kamehameha Schools breakfast at capitol 1/25/2010, Hawaii Association for Justice Ho’onanea Legislative Welcome Party at the Pacific Club 1/25/2010, Hawaiian Airlines reception at Hawaii State Art Museum 1/26/2010, and Wahiawa Nikkei Association Cherry Blossom Festival at Wahiawa Hongwanji 1/30/2010.

I am saddened to find out my good friend’s mom, Mrs. Lois Yasui passed away. She saw me grow up from a young kid. Mrs. Yasui helped us for cub scouts. As a politician, she has been one of my strongest supporters in my career. Through politics and Peace Day Hawaii, I got to work with organizations she was involved with such as the Hongwanji & the Pacific Buddhist Academy. I have a hard time believing she is gone.

I’ve been so busy chairing the House Judiciary Committee and campaigning for Lt. Governor that I haven’t been able to keep up with posting my schedule and reviewing emails. This week, I will dedicate time to update my posts and emails.

Good judiciary hearing yesterday.  I spoke on Channel 2 News regarding graffiti.

– YODA

I have personally greeted approximately 26,000 people between June 1, 2009 and February 14, 2010.

February 14, 2010 was the best Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year.  I met about 900 people with my campaign manager Brandon.  We have a natural rush from all the adrelanine we get from campaigning.  The two of us love politics so much.  We live it 24-hours a day.  We will keep hustling the events, parks, and streets in a way that has never been done before in the United States since the beginning of politics; that is one of our biggest campaign goals and a key component of our campaign mission.  Like a runner always trying to beat his or her best time, we are always trying to beat our best campaign efforts.

I ran the Great Aloha Run on Monday, February 15, 2010.  I am happy I beat last year’s time.  Last year I was suffering pain in my right knee.  This year, I felt much better despite not being able to train at all.

I’ve been so busy that I haven’t been able to post my daily schedule. Despite my busy legislative, business, and community schedule, I have been able to continue my grassroots campaign throughout the state. I have personally greeted approximately 25,000 people between June 1, 2009 and February 6, 2010.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu’s 2010 Bills

HB2247
RELATING TO HEALTH.
Health; Incentive Programs
Directs the department of health to conduct a study on health habit incentive programs used by governments and private industry.

HB2248 HD1
RELATING TO THE UNIFORM ADULT GUARDIANSHIP AND PROTECTIVE PROCEEDINGS JURISDICTION ACT.
Uniform Adult Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Jurisdiction Act
Establishes rules to determine which state has jurisdiction in guardianship and conservatorship cases where person has contacts with more than one state. (HB2248 HD1)

HB2249
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
Elections; Campaign Contributions
Provides that it is unlawful for persons exempt from competitive solicitation for State or county contracts to make contributions to candidate committees, noncandidate committees, or candidates or to knowingly solicit contributions from any person for any purpose. Permits the establishment or administration of, or solicitation of contributions to, any noncandidate committee.

HB2250 HD1
RELATING TO THE UNIFORM CHILD ABDUCTION PREVENTION ACT.
Uniform Child Abduction Prevention Act
Establishes comprehensive child abduction prevention law. Lists factors to determine risk of abduction, and establishes measures courts may include in order to prevent abduction both before and after issuance of child custody decrees.

HB2251 HD1
RELATING TO GAMING.
Casino Gaming
Establishes a gaming commission to oversee casino gaming. Allows the gaming commission to issue one 5-year license to a casino gaming operation in a county with a population of more than 500,000. Limits casino gaming to persons over 21. Creates a wagering tax on casino gaming. (HB2251 HD1)

HB2252
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Agricultural Lands
Protects agriculturally suitable lands on Oahu (lands with productivity ratings of “A” or “B”). Provides for mandatory extension of agricultural leases.

HB2253
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Relating to Agricultural Lands
Allows designation of important agricultural lands by the legislature.

HB2254 HD1
RELATING TO COMPUTER SECURITY.
Computer Crimes; Unauthorized Installation of Software
Makes it a class C felony for an unauthorized user of a computer to cause installation of computer software through misrepresentation or deception. Authorizes the attorney general to seek civil damages and injunctive relief.

HB2255
RELATING TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD CHECKS.
Human Services Providers; Criminal History Record Checks
Reduces the number of required annual fingerprint-based criminal history record checks from two to one.

HB2465
RELATING TO THE STATEWIDE TRAFFIC CODE.
Statewide Traffic Code; Fines; Early Payment Incentives
Authorizes the court to establish incentives for payment of traffic fines by reducing the fine in proportion to the amount of time remaining before the due date set in the citation or judgment.

HB2612
RELATING TO LAND MANAGEMENT.
Land Management; Hazard Mapping ($)
Appropriates funds to the department of land and natural resources for hazard mapping.

HB2613
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Relating to Agricultural Lands
Allows designation of important agricultural lands by the legislature.

HB2614
RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Agricultural Lands
Protects agriculturally suitable lands on Oahu (lands with productivity ratings of “A” or “B”). Provides for mandatory extension of agricultural leases.

HB2691
RELATING TO SMOKING.
Smoking; Smoking Exemption; Organ Donation
Allows smoking in properly permitted liquor establishments not to include restaurants. Requires collection of smoking establishment permit fee with proceeds to go towards organ donation education.

HB2721 HD1
RELATING TO COURT REPORTERS.
Judiciary; Shorthand Reporters
Authorizes certified shorthand reporters to administer oaths or affirmations and to perform the duties of a deposition officer.

HB2722
RELATING TO HEALTH.
Health Insurance; Health Savings Accounts; Health Savings Account Assessment Task Force
Creates a health savings account assessment task force to assess the viability of health savings accounts in the State.

HB2723 HD1
RELATING TO FOOD SAFETY.
Food Safety
Amends the Food Safety Consultative and Education Program under the Department of Health to include information and education efforts regarding food allergies and anaphylaxis. Establishes a “food allergy friendly” restaurant designation program.

HB2724
RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER.
Dogs; Tethering
Permits tethering of an unattended dog if the tether meets certain specifications and the dog is at least 6 months old. Establishes mandatory fines.

HB2725
RELATING TO ANIMALS.
Animals; Humane Treatment
Amends the definition of necessary sustenance to include a primary pet enclosure that provides shelter; safe construction to prevent injury; room to stand, sit, or lie down; and safe interactions with other animals.

HB2800
RELATING TO CONSERVATION.
Conservation; Important Agricultural Lands; Legacy Land Conservation Commission
Allows the legacy land conservation commission to acquire agricultural easements across lands contiguous to important agricultural lands to protect and conserve important agricultural lands. The Act also provides tax incentives for easement donors.

HB2938
RELATING TO WORKPLACE SAFETY.
Substance Abuse Testing
Expands ability of employer to protect employees and prohibit the use of medical marijuana in the workplace.

HB2939 HD1
RELATING TO THE LONG TERM CARE COMMISSION.
Long Term Care Commission; Long Term Care Fund
Requires the long term care commission to review the feasibility of establishing a long term care fund to assist residents who would otherwise not qualify for any government or private long term care insurance program. Requires the Commission to recommend appropriate funding mechanisms. Requires conclusions and recommendations of the review to be included in the commission’s final report to the legislature on September 30, 2010. (HB2939 HD1)

HB2940
RELATING TO WORKPLACE SAFETY.
Workplace Violence
Establishes a mechanism for employers to obtain temporary restraining orders to protect against harassment, including violence or threatened violence, at the worksite.

HB2941
RELATING TO IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL LANDS.
Important Agricultural Lands; Designation
Allows designation of important agricultural lands by the legislature by law.

HB2942
RELATING TO URBAN DEVELOPMENT.
Urban Core Redevelopment Districts
Provides tax incentives and expedited permitting for private development within designated urban cores.

HB2994
RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTY-FIRST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
CIP; 41st Representative District ($)
Appropriates funds for capital improvement projects to benefit the 41st representative district.

Representative Jon Riki Karamatsu’s Bills Carried over from 2009:

HB612
RELATING TO LAND USE COMMISSION.
Land Use Commission; Important Agricultural Lands
Prevents lands designated important agricultural lands from being reclassified to another classification if the primary use of the land is agriculture, the owner or lessee is a farmer, and the gross proceeds from the agricultural activities on the land exceed $1,000,000.

HB613
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
Elections; Withdrawal and Declaration of Candidacy
Requires the office of elections to develop a standard withdrawal and declaration of candidacy form by 01/01/2010. Requires a candidate to file the standard form to withdraw as a candidate prior to the subsequent filing of nomination papers for any other elective office

HB614
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
Elections; Nomination Papers
Makes nomination papers available until twenty-four hours prior to the deadline for filing nomination papers.

HB616
RELATING TO THE HAWAII EXPORT CENTER.
Hawaii Export Center; Shipping; Small Businesses
Establishes Hawaii export center within department of business, economic development, and tourism located within the Kalaeloa community development district to manage sharing of shipping containers for multiple small Hawaii export businesses who lack sufficient quantities of product to completely fill one standard shipping container at any one time.

HB617 HD2
RELATING TO MASS TRANSIT ROUTE ECONOMIC ZONES.
Mass Transit Route Economic Zone Task Force
Creates a task force to recommend parameters for the creation of mass transit route economic zones including eligibility and benefits and incentives such as tax credits. Report to legislature, including process to designate economic zones and incentives to attract businesses and affordable housing to encourage ridership. Task force terminates on 06/30/10.

HB619
RELATING TO PUBLIC UTILITIES.
Public Utilities; Renewable Energy Zones
Directs the public utilities commission to prepare a study on the creation of renewable energy zones and report its findings to the legislature.

HB620 HD1
RELATING TO SENTENCING.
Sex Offenders; Sentencing
Authorizes the court at sentencing to require a person with three or more convictions of sexual assault in the first degree to wear a global positioning system transmitter for up to 10 years after the person’s release from prison. Classifies as a class C felony the removal or disabling of the transmitter. (HB620 HD1)

HB621
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HAWAII CONSTITUTION TO CLARIFY RETIREMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR JUSTICES AND JUDGES IN STATE COURTS.
Constitutional Amendment; Judges; Completion of Terms (ConAm)
Proposes a constitutional amendment to allow justices and judges who attain the age of 70 during their term of office to complete their term prior to retirement.

HB622 HD1
RELATING TO HARASSMENT.
Harassment by Stalking; Electronic Communication
Adds electronic communication as a form of nonconsensual contact in the offense of harassment by stalking. (HB622 HD1)

HB623 HD1 SD1
RELATING TO STATE IDENTIFICATION.
State Identification; Counties
Allows the attorney general to contract with counties for processing and issuing state identification cards. Clarifies that counties may utilize driver licensing offices or other suitable county facilities to issue state identification cards. (SD1)

HB624
RELATING TO PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS.
Public Accommodations; Discrimination
Specifies state-operated schools, libraries, community colleges, and universities as examples of facilities that are places of public accommodation subject to anti-discriminatory prohibitions.

HB625 HD1
RELATING TO SURCHARGE FOR INDIGENT LEGAL SERVICES.
Surcharge for Indigent Legal Services
Increases the surcharge for civil actions. Adjusts the distribution formula of the funds for legal-services organizations for the indigent. (HB625 HD1)

HB626
RELATING TO ETHICS.
County Ethics Committees; Civil Fines; Appeal Proceedings
Conforms county ethics procedures for civil fines with state ethics commission procedures by allowing appeals of civil fines directly to a court and authorizing counties to adopt an ordinance to allow a county ethics commission to issue civil fines without first requesting correction or ceasing of violation.

HB774
RELATING TO THE JUDICIARY.
Judiciary; Supreme Court; Rules
Clarifies the supreme court’s rule making authority.

HB775
RELATING TO GOVERNMENT.
Government; Jury Service
Clarifies the law with respect to jury service.

HB776
RELATING TO CRIMES.
Crimes; Assault
Clarifies the law with respect to assault against a law enforcement officer.

HB777
RELATING TO ELECTIONS.
Elections; Campaign Treasurer
Clarifies the law with respect to campaign treasurers.

HB778
RELATING TO ATTORNEYS.
Attorneys; Attorney General; Private Practice
Clarifies the law with respect to attorneys in the Attorney General’s Office.

HB779
RELATING TO THE UNIFORM FOREIGN-COUNTRY MONEY JUDGMENTS RECOGNITION ACT.
Uniform Foreign Country Money Judgments Recognition Act
Enacts Uniform Foreign Country Money Judgments Recognition Act and in so doing, replaces and updates similar law codified as chapter 658C, HRS. Updates former law by, among other things, allocating burden of proof with respect to application of law, setting out procedure for obtaining recognition of foreign country money judgments, expanding grounds for denying recognition and allocating burden of proof to do so. Establishes statute of limitations.

HB780
RELATING TO TORTS.
Joint and Several Liability; Design Professionals
Abolishes joint and several liability for design professionals except when the design professional’s degree of negligence is 25% or more.

HB781
RELATING TO THE OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS.
Peace Mission Committee; Office of International Relations ($)
Establishes a peace mission committee within the office of international affairs to plan and implement peace missions to other nations and organizations. Appropriates funds.

HB782 HD1
RELATING TO THE UNIFORM MEDIATION ACT.
Uniform Mediation Act
Adopts the Uniform Mediation Act. Provides certain rules for mediations. Establishes a privilege that assures confidentiality of mediations in legal proceedings. Protects integrity and knowing consent through provisions that provide exceptions to the privilege, limit disclosures by the mediator to judges and others who may rule on the case, requires mediators to disclose conflicts of interest, and assures that parties may bring a lawyer or other support person to the mediation session. (HB782 HD1)

HB1314
RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE FORTY-FIRST REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT.
CIP; 41st Representative District ($)
Authorizes capital improvement projects for the 41st representative district.

HB1315
RELATING TO PEACE DAY.
Peace Day; Peace Mission Committee
Establishes a peace mission committee to plan, develop, and implement a peace mission in 2017 in honor of the tenth annual Peace Day.

HB1317 HD1
RELATING TO RURAL PHYSICIANS TAX CREDIT.
Tax Credit; Physicians; Rural Areas
Provides a tax credit on a sliding scale for amounts paid for medical malpractice insurance premiums by physicians that move to, and practice medicine in, rural areas. (HB1317 HD1)

HB1511
RELATING TO THE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
Primary Health Care Incentive Program
Amends the primary health care incentive program to include the development and maintenance of a list of doctors, their specialties, and locations in which they are willing to help serve.

HB1513
RELATING TO OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER.
Cruelty to Animals; Possession of Gaff
Prohibits possession of gaff designed to be attached to gamecock or other fighting fowl.

HB1514 HD1
RELATING TO MEDICAL TORTS.
Medical Torts; Damages; Notification of Patients; Physician Profiles; Task Force
Places a ceiling on non-economic damages in medical torts involving neurologists and neurosurgeons and reduces insurance premiums for malpractice liability coverage. Requires a health care provider to disclose to patients adverse events relating to their medical treatment. Requires the Hawaii medical board to collect and publish information about physicians licensed in the state to allow consumers to make informed decisions in selecting physicians. Establishes a medical malpractice damages task force to provide support in implementing the provisions of this Act. (HB1514 HD1)

HB1515
RELATING TO THE HAWAII PATIENT COMPENSATION FUND.
Patient Compensation Fund
Establishes a patient compensation fund to offer medical malpractice insurance in excess of the basic insurance coverage necessary to participate in the fund.

HB1782 HD2 SD2
RELATING TO HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE.
Health Information Exchange Task Force; Health Information Technology ($)
Creates an office of the state coordinator of health information technology and a health information exchange task force to assist in developing a health information exchange program.

HB1783
RELATING TO THE MEDICAL CLAIM CONCILIATION PANEL.
Medical Claim Compensation Panel
Amends provisions relating to the medical claim compensation panel by establishing a health court. Increases the number of panel members and amends the manner in which they are appointed.

HB1784 HD2
RELATING TO MEDICAL TORTS.
Medical Tort Claims
Improves the medical tort law by, among other things, setting a maximum award limit for noneconomic damages in medical tort cases against physician specialists. Requires all insurers providing professional liability insurance for health care providers to implement a premium rate established by the State Insurance Commissioner. Establishes the Medical Malpractice Rate Commission. Establishes the Medical Malpractice Task Force. Requires notification of adverse events. (HB1784 HD2)

HB1785
RELATING TO MEDICAL MALPRACTICE CLAIMS.
Task Force; Medical Malpractice
Establishes a medical malpractice damages task force to develop a strategic plan to address the high costs of medical malpractice insurance rates and make recommendations on damage award ranges and guidelines for medical malpractice claims.

HB1786
RELATING TO GAMING.
Gaming; One County; One Casino; Nonresident Adults; Deposit Taxes & Fees into General Fund
Allows casino gaming at 1 location on a 5-year license in a county having a population of more than 500,000 admitting only persons over 21, nonresidents, or who have round-trip tickets for travel to a final destination outside Hawaii. Creates a gaming commission and imposes a 7% tax on the casino’s monthly gross receipts and an annual $250 fee on each gaming device for deposit into the general fund except     % and     % for administrative costs and administering a problem gamblers program.

I am thinking of all the great leaders of Hawaii who passed away in the last month in a half and are two generations above mine, my mentor & friend Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinaga, Senator Stanley Hara and Representative Jack Suwa. They were all friends of my late grandpa Maurice Karamatsu.

Although, I did not know them, my well wishes for Mayor Frank Fasi and Congressman Cecil Heftel.

For those of you fighting for equal rights, keep your message positive. Negativity placed on your opponents will only hurt your efforts. Especially attacks on your friends and allies who came so close to making it into law. ..

I heard that Representative Jack Suwa passed away last Friday, January 22, 2010 at 85 years old.  I met Rep. Suwa after I got elected in the Hawaii House of Representatives in 2002.  At that time, he was working for the House Sergeant-at-Arms.  I heard how he was a good House Finance Chair and was known for his straightforward style of leadership and how he would mumble when he spoke.  Rep. Suwa told me he was friends with my late grandpa Maurice Karamatsu, former Vice President of Duty Free Shoppers.  I thanked him for his friendship with my grandpa.  He donated to my campaign to show his support.  I am so honored I got to know him.

On Tuesday, February 19, 2010 in the early afternoon, I stepped outside my office.  When I walked out I saw paramedics pushing someone in a stretcher.  Immediately I felt worried.  Later that evening I found out Jon Kobayashi was the one in the stretcher.  He had suffered aneurism.  I was shocked and saddened.  I met Jon through Rep. Bob Nakasone in 2003.  He was such a nice person.  I always enjoyed talking to him.  In 2006, when my grandma Bessie Karamatsu was in Queen’s hospital, every evening I would walk to the hospital and then return to the capitol visiting Rep. Nakasone and his gang at his office.  Jon and I were outside on the balcony.  He knew my grandma’s health was failing and I was hurting inside.  He told me the most comforting words a person could say and hugged me.  I tried to hold back my sadness and I could see the sincerity in Jon as he looked emotional as well.  Earlier this month, I bumped into him at the capitol.  I told him, “We gotta hang out sometime.”  He smiled and agreed.  That was the last time I talked to him.  Jon had such a good heart, so sincere and caring.  It is hard to believe he is gone.

Opening of the 2010 Legislative Session was on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 from 10:00 A.M.  After, from 11:30 A.M. Rep. Roland Sagum, Jerry Chang, Ken Ito, and I had a small luncheon for our family, staff, and friends at Iolani Palace administration building.  I met with the president and executive director of the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation at my office from 1:00 P.M.  Baron Gushiken of Rep. Cindy Evans discussed a couple of his boss’ bills with me from 1:30 P.M. at my office.  I met with two businessmen that are involved with pest control and health products that are not harmful to our environment or body.  At about 4:00 P.M., I went over legislation with my four attorneys.  Finally, I ate dinner with Rep. Jerry Chang and friends at his office.

I met with a representative of Common Cause Hawaii at my office from 11:00 A.M.

I met with Rep. Karl Rhoads at my office from 12:30 P.M.

I met with a representative from Aloha Care at myoffice from 1:00 P.M.

I met with a lobbyist/attorney and professional design engineers at my office from 1:30 P.M.

I chaired the House Judiciary informational hearing on the Judiciary courts and its budget at the state capitol from 2:30 P.M.

I attended Rep. Blake Oshiro’s fundraiser at Alston Hunt Floyd Ing law firm from 6:00 P.M.

I exercised at 24-Hour Fitness in Mililani from 11:00 P.M.

I attended a get-together with politicians and business persons from Kauai, Oahu, Maui, and Hilo at my friend’s office in Honolulu on Monday, January 19, 2010 from 6:30 P.M. to 11:30 P.M.

I attended the Soka Gakkai Victory Over Violence “I Choose” Musical, Entertainment, and General Assembly at the Hawaii Convention Center on Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

I made a speech in front of over 3,000 Soka Gakkai members and guests.  I spoke about how Hawaii passed the Peace Day law and last year Soka Gakkai worked with us in the annual event.  I also mentioned how we can work together for peace through peace education to reduce the violence in Hawaii and peace missions to reduce the violence in the world.  I honored Soka Gakkai president Daisaku Ikeda with a Hawaii State House certificate and mentioned the programs he championed to promote peace.  Also on stage were Reps. Glenn Wakai and Lyla Berg.

I attended the Ohana Baptist Church Grand Opening Service in Mapunapuna on Sunday, January 17, 2010 from 10:30 A.M. to 11:20 A.M.

I attended the Sony Open at the First Hawaiian Bank Sky Pavilion on Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 1:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.

I attended the Filipino Chamber of Commerce 2010 Legislative Breakfast at Dole Ballroom at Cannery Square on Saturday, January 16, 2010 from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.  I shared some of my policy ideas.

Thank you to Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu Star Bulletin, and other mainstream media in Hawaii for stepping up on their etiquette policy in regards to anyone posting comments on their websites.  Earlier I had wrote in this journal on how I wanted to prevent people from using offensive language such as swearing words or racist language in our mainstream media’s websites, especially since we encourage our children and young adults to keep up with current events.  My journal entry stirred some discussion on this subject on the Honolulu Advertiser’s website.

I campaigned the Japanese Cultural Center’s Family Day on Sunday, January 10, 2001 from 10:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. I greeted a 1,000 people that day.

My sister Lara, friend of my late grandpa Maurice Karamatsu, and I.

10:30 A.M. – Meeting with my attorneys at my capitol office.

12:00 P.M. – Lunch with painters union representative at Shokudo.

2:00 P.M. – Meeting with my friend in the insurance and Chinese trade business at my captiol office.

3:00 P.M. – Meeting with St. Andrew’s Priory at their administration building.

7:30 A.M. – American Resort Development Association (ARDA) Breakfast Reception at the Pacific Club.

9:30 A.M. – Meeting with my four attorneys at my capitol office.

12:00 P.M. – House Majority Caucus at State Capitol.

1:30 P.M. – Courtesy visit by Dale Uno.

2:00 P.M. – Meeting with an attorney/lobbyist and an associate regarding indigent legal services.

3:00 P.M. – Meeting with attorney and realtor government affairs representative regarding real estate transfer fees.

5:30 P.M. – Retail Merchants of Hawaii Annual Reception at the Pacific Club. My office manager attended as well.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Worked on campaign finances

1:00 PM- 2:30 PM: Interviewed by Wapaiahu Elementary School student for Olelo’ Capitol Commentary at my capitol office.

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM: Meeting with representative of the ironworkers union at my office.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Attended Outrigger Hotels Hawaii PAC Annual Gathering at Outrigger Reef on the Beach.

8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Hawaii Dental Association Legislators Breakfast at the Pacific Club.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Meeting with anti-smoking in public place advocate at my capitol office.

10:00 AM- 10:30 AM: Meeting with 2 lobbyists and an owner of a court reporter company at my capitol office. 

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Hawaii Chapter, American Physical Therapy Association (HAPTA) reception at the Hawaii State Capitol.

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Meeting with Senator Carol Fukunaga.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Meeting with University of Hawaii West Oahu Chancellor Gene Awakuni regarding the development of the new campus in Kapolei.

 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM: Meeting with Rep. Roland Sagum of Kauai at my office.

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Meeting with the executive director for Citizens for Fair Valuation at my office.

5:30 PM – 7:30 PM: I attended the Pacific Resource Partnership Annual Reception at Oahu Country Club.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Exercised with Jen at 24-Hour Fitness on Kapiolani Blvd.

I greeted about 1,000 people at the Japanese Cultural Center’s Ohana Day on Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 10 AM – 4 PM. I have greeted about 23,500 people since June 1, 2009 based on the amount of campaign materials I passed out.

On Sunday, January 10, 2010 from 10:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M., I campaigned at the Japanese Cultural Center’s Ohana Day. I greeted about 1,000 people there. 

I attended my friend Alec’s belated birthday dinner at his house in Kapolei from 7:00 P.M. – 11:30 P.M.

On Saturday, January 9, 2010, I went to the Elton John concert with my parents and sister Lara at Neil S. Blaisdell Center from 8:30 P.M. – 11:30 P.M.

10:00 AM – 11:30 AM: I, along with House leadership, met with county clerks and state Office of Elections at Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say’s office.

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM: I met with leaders of the Hawaii Energy Policy Forum at the Hawaii State Captiol.

1:30 PM – 3:00 PM: I discussed pending bills and my bills with my four attorneys and assistant committee clerk.

 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say, House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro, and I met with Honolulu Star Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser reporters at Speaker’s office.

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: I met with attorneys from the attorney general’s office at my capitol office.

4:30 PM- 5:00 PM: I met with my business friend in the travel industry catering to the Chinese visitors.

5:00 PM – 8:30 PM: I attended Chris Pablo’s funeral St. Andrew’s Cathedral.

I exercised from 7:20 A.M. – 9:00 A.M.  Strength training for abs and shoulders. Ran on the treadmill for cardio.

I had a meeting with the administration team for Ohana Health Plan in Waipahu from 10:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

I attended the Ho’okako’o Corporation  Legislative Roundtable on the Charter Schools and State Schools “Expanded Learning Time” program at the state capitol, room 229 from 12:00 P.M. – 2:00 P.M.

I attended the Finance Budget Workshop for all House committee chairs at Rep. Marcus Oshiro’s conference room.

I met with Board of Education (BOE) Member Donna Ikeda and the Hawaii State Student Council at my office from 3:00 P.M. – 3:30 P.M.  They want the student BOE member to be able to vote.

I met with Rep. Dennis Coffman of Kona to discuss a couple of his bills at my office from 3:30 P.M. – 4:00 P.M.

I met with my friend Tracy Okubo to discuss legislative ideas.

I ended the evening with watching a little of the BCS Championship Bowl game between Texas and Alabama and went with my friends to eat shabu shabu, which I haven’t eaten in a couple of years or more.

Starbulletin article on Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinaga on December 31, 2009: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20091231_ex_senator_played_key_role_in_social_legislation.html

Honolulu Advertiser article on Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinaga on January 1, 2010: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20101010372

I was quoted in a January 6, 2010 Honolulu Advertiser article regarding Lt. Governor Duke Aiona’s proposal for an elected Secretary of State to run Hawaii’s Office of Elections: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100106/NEWS03/1060360/Aiona+wants+secretary+of+state

I got my truck’s oil changed and tires rotated, mailed “thank you” letters to donors to my campaign, worked on my next campaign event, made phone calls for my campaign, and worked on my business inventory at our Waipahu warehouse.

On Tuesday, January 5, 2010, I exercised from 5:30 A.M. – 7:30 A.M., attended the House leadership meeting at Speaker Calvin K.Y. Say’s office from 9:00 A.M.- 10:30 A.M., hosted a meeting with Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi, his administration, and the executive director of the Honolulu Ethics Commission, attended a get-together with political friends of the late Senator Nadao “Najo” Yoshinaga at HGEA from 12:00 P.M. – 1:30 P.M., and attended the Honolulu Japanese Chamber of Commerce 65th Annual Shinnen Enkai at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii.

On January 2, 2010, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M., I attended a meeting with a group of community leaders from across the state in Makakilo and presented to them some of my legislative proposals.