Session is out!
/Happy end of the 2018 legislative session everyone. This session was a tough one (although at this point we say that every year) but we made it out to the other side and have several reasons to celebrate—and several reasons to keep working hard as bills move to Governor Ige’s desk.
Here is a quick glance at TOP priority bills that made it out of session. After we take a moment to go outside and get some sunlight, stretch our legs, and take a deep breath we will share with you all a comprehensive review of the remaining bills we followed throughout this session.
Of course, we also want to share a HUGE MAHALO to all of you and your hard work tracking bills, submitting testimony, sharing calls to action, showing up at the capitol and everything in between that helped to keep the good bills going and the bad bills in check.
Signed into law
SB2939, now the Hawaiʻi Ratepayer Protection Act, establishes performance incentives for the electric utility to ensure it earns profits when it provides cheaper, renewable energy to its customers. You can read more about this victory here.
Be sure to take a minute to thank Governor Ige for signing this bill.
Good bills headed to the Governor’s desk
They are almost there. Write to Governor Ige asking him to sign these bills into law.
HB2182, aligns Hawaiʻi’s clean energy and carbon sequestration efforts with climate initiative goals—guides the State to sequester more carbon than it emits by 2045
HB2106, requires sea level rise predictions to be included in environmental assessments and impact statements
HB 2110, directs the Public Utilities Commission to establish a microgrid services tariff to encourage and facilitate the development and use of energy resilient microgrids
HB1986, establishes framework for a carbon offset program through partnership of the Office of Planning and Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Task Force
SB2571, bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in Hawaiʻi
SB3095, bans the use of chlorpyrifos, requires mandatory disclosure of restricted use pesticides, and creates buffer zones around schools
SB2567, establishes a working group with the Health Department to develop a plan for the conversion of all cesspools by 2050
HB1577, establishes compost pilot program to reimburse farmers who purchase compost from a certified processor, dealer, retailer, or wholesaler
Bad bills headed to the Governor’s desk
These bills are too close for comfort. Reach out to the Governor and ask him to veto these bills.
HB1932, allows state agencies to use emergency rules to override legislation and court decisions they do not agree with
SB192, transfers all Natural Area Reserve funds to the general fund
