Government Affairs Update
April 25 , 2008
Conference committee meetings have concluded. The Legislature will debate the merits of each bill before it goes to the Governor for her signature or veto. Adjournment is Thursday, May 1.
HAR is in the midst of drafting a list of bills and its descriptions by Friday, May 2. In the mean time, feel free to browse some bills listed below.
BILLS THAT PASSED THE LEGISLATURE
Health Insurance for Small Businesses, HB2224
Requires group health issuers to offer small group health plans to self-employed individuals who are registered or licensed by DCCA.
Permits Clotheslines in Covenants, Bylaws, Declaration, SB2933
Prohibits contracts and other binding agreements from precluding the erecting and use of clotheslines on the premises of single-family residential dwellings, and provides that rules on the placement of clotheslines shall not be unduly or unreasonably restrictive.
Planned Community Association – Seller Disclosure, HB2492
Requires sellers of residential real property to disclose all restrictions or conditions on use relating to the property and contained in a recorded document, including any unrecorded rules or guidelines issued by any entity responsible for enforcing the restrictions or conditions.
EA Consultation with Affected Agencies, SB2808
Clarifies that when 2 or more agencies have jurisdiction, the office of environmental quality control shall determine which agency has the responsibility of preparing an environmental assessment after consultation with and assistance from the affected state or county agencies. Makes clarifications to the rulemaking powers of the environmental council.
Important Agricultural Lands – Incentives, SB2646
Creates a comprehensive set of incentives: (1) Excludes income from certain agricultural leases on lands designated as IALs from the income tax; (2) Exempts income from certain agricultural leases on lands designated as IALs from the general excise tax (GET); (3) Allows landowners who have designated their agricultural lands as IALs to construct residential dwellings for farmers, employees, and their families on the IALs, subject to certain conditions; and Establishes an IAL Qualified Agricultural Cost Tax Credit (IAL Tax Credit) for qualified agricultural costs incurred by taxpayers, up to an unspecified maximum amount per year for each taxpayer;
For the most current and detailed information on bills, go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov for bill status and descriptions.