Government Affairs

Let the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce take care of politics so you can take care of business.

The KKCC has an active Government Affairs Committee whose mission is to be aware of legislative issues at County, State and Federal levels that affect West Hawaii and to advocate positions that foster improvements in the business community.
The KKCC has drafted Position Statements on various issues affecting West Hawaii and sent to our membership for approval/disapproval.
A listing of those Position Statements that have passed approval by at least 85% of the membership can be found on the Position Statements page.
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May 1, 2009
Government Affairs Committee keeps watch on legislature

As our State Senators and Representatives near the end of the 25th Legislative Session, several bills continue to be monitored by the Kona-Kohala Chamber of Commerce’s (KKCC) Government Affairs Committee. Following is a recap of action on those bills reported on in the April 1 edition of Connections, with voting records of our Big Island representatives. Bill status is listed as of April 29, 2009.

HB1744 – Relating to the Transient Accommodations Tax

This measure authorizes each county, by ordinance, to impose a surcharge on transient accommodations tax, not to exceed 5%. Repeals section 237D-6.5(b)(3), HRS, that distributes transient accommodations tax proceeds to counties. KKCC opposed this measure. KKCC is monitoring the final amount of increase, if any, to be supported, with a watchful eye on the distribution of funds to the counties. Each County Mayor and County Councils have also expressed opposition to this measure along with many in the visitor industry.
The House passed the bill with Coffman, Hanohano and Nakashima voting No. Senate received the bill, made amendments and passed the bill with Kokubun, Takamine voting Aye, with reservations and Green voting No. The House disagrees with the Senate amendments, bill in conference committee.

SB1621 – Relating to Collective Bargaining
Referred to as the “card check” bill, this measure certifies entities as exclusive representatives without an election where no other representatives are certified as the exclusive bargaining representatives. Requires immediate collective bargaining between parties once entities are certified as exclusive representatives. KKCC opposes this bill. The Senate passed this bill with Kokubun and Takamine voting Aye and Green voting Aye with reservations. Passed the House with amendments; Chang and Coffman voting No. Bill in conference committee.

SB1673 – Relating to Hawaii Health Systems Corporation (HHSC)
Transfers the community hospitals of the state government to the department of health from the Hawaii health systems corporation and abolishes the corporation and its regional boards. Provides for the repeal of the transfer provisions and enabling law for the community hospitals on June 30, 2012. Establishes a transition committee to conduct a study to determine a permanent structure for the community hospitals and requires a report before 1/1/2011.
The Senate version of this bill was supported by KKCC and Green, Kokubun and Takamine. The House rewrote the bill which KKCC now opposes. The radically different House version passed with all Big Island Reps supporting. Bill stands in conference committee meeting.
May 1 is the “final decking of fiscal bills” – the deadline for submitting fiscal bills for final reading by both chambers. Fiscal bills include appropriation or spending bills, tax credits, etc. that emerge from the fiscal committee of their respective originating chamber.
May 7 is Adjournment Sine Die. “Sine die” in Latin means “without a day.” Adjournment sine die indicates a suspension of the business of the legislature indefinitely. From this point, the Legislature will certify bills whose form both chambers have agreed to and transmit or “enroll” those bills to the Governor.
To continue to track these and other bills and to read final versions of bills, go to the State’s government website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov and click on Bill Status and Documents.
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