Final stretch: One week left! Bill update & last minute actions

We are in the final stretch of the 2021 Legislative Session, just one week left. Bills were heard in conference committee last week and will be voted on on the House and Senate floors this coming week. Here is a status update of our top priority bills and a last minute action to take on HB499:

Top good bills we support:

HB431/HB544/HB597/SB230/SB292/SB474/SB503 - SEA LEVEL RISE DISCLOSURE (SUPPORT) - Requires that mandatory seller disclosures in real estate transactions include identification of residential real properties lying within the sea level rise exposure area. While there were 7 similar bills introduced, only one is still alive.

ALIVE: SB474 - Sponsored by Sen. Keith-Agaran + 5 other senators. Passed out of conference with amendments with yes votes by Reps Tarnas, Johanson, Ganaden and Sens Inouye, Baker, Rhoads, Misalucha; Rep. McDermott excused. Upon floor votes next week, likely headed to Governor’s desk!

HB243 - SEA LEVEL RISE PLANNING (SUPPORT) - Requires all state agencies to identify infrastructure susceptible to sea level rise hazards, assess mitigation options, identify department point of contacts for statewide sea level rise coordination, and submit reports.

ALIVE: HB243 - Sponsored by Rep. Tarnas + 28 other House members. Passed out of conference with amendments with yes votes by Sens Inuoye, Gabbard, Moriwaki and Reps Tarnas, Lowen, Branco; Rep. McDermott excused. Upon floor votes next week, likely headed to Governor’s desk!

HB463/HB552/SB500/SB920 - ESTABLISHES 100% CLEAN GROUND TRANSPORTATION GOALS (SUPPORT) - Sets statewide goals for state and county public vehicle fleets to transition to clean transportation vehicles. Of the four bills introduced, two were heard.

ALIVE: HB552 - Sponsored by Rep. Lowen + 19 other House members. Passed out of conference with amendments with yes votes by Reps Lowen, Johanson, Cullen, Matsumoto and Sens Wakai, Lee, Kidani; Rep. Aquino excused. Upon floor votes next week, likely headed to Governor’s desk!

SB512 - EXPANDS SNAP DOUBLE BUCKS FOR LOCAL FOOD PURCHASES (SUPPORT) - Expands the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s “Double Up Food Bucks” initiative to incentivize the purchase of local produce and proteins for low-income beneficiaries.

ALIVE: SB512 - Passed out of conference with amendments with yes notes by Reps. Hashem, Yamane, Cullen, Todd and Sens. Gabbard, English, Rhoads; Rep. Matsumoto excused. Upon floor votes next week, likely headed to Governor’s desk!

Top bad bills we oppose:

HB499/SB257 - 99 YEAR LEASES ON PUBLIC LANDS (OPPOSE) - Authorizes the Board of Land and Natural Resources to extend certain leases of public lands for commercial, industrial, resort, mixed-use, or government use upon approval of a proposed development agreement to make substantial improvements to the land. 

ALIVE: HB499 -  Sponsored by Rep. Tarnas + 14 other House members. Passed out of conference with amendments with yes votes by Sens. Inouye, Keith-Agaran, Misalucha, and Reps. Tarnas, Johanson, Cullen; no vote by Sen. Fevella; Rep. McDermott excused. 

TAKE ACTION: House and Senate floor votes on Tuesday, April 27. Contact your legislators to ask that they VOTE NO on this measure which would allow lease extensions of Hawaiian Lands to developers resulting in century long leases. Find your legislator’s info at capitol.hawaii.gov/fyl

SB1237/HB1173/HB1174 - CUTS THE SOLAR TAX CREDIT (OPPOSE) - Reduces the renewable energy technologies income tax credit by 50%.

DEAD: HB1174 - This last minute gut and replace type amended bill has died! Thank you to everyone who took action to contact your legislators and express your support for the solar tax credit!

HB469/SB693 - TRANSFERS 93,000 ACRES OF WATERSHED “PASTURELANDS” FROM DLNR TO DOA (OPPOSE) - Requires that agricultural lands under the jurisdiction of the department of land and natural resources be transferred to the department of agriculture not later than 12/31/2023.

ALIVE: HB469 - Sponsored by Rep. Onishi + 5 other House members. Passed out of conference with amendments with yes votes by Reps. Lowen, Johanson, Cullen, Matsumoto, and Sens. Wakai, Lee, Kidani; Rep. Aquino excused. Unfortunately headed to Governor’s desk, stay tuned for veto action.