Government Affairs Update

February 1 , 2008

The deadline to introduce new bills is long gone for this session but that didn't hinder the urge to introduce a total of 1,484 bills in the House and 1,263 in the Senate. This is the second year in the biennium so we also have bills from 2007 that are alive.

TESTIMONIES
HAR testified on a number of bills this week that is of interest to real estate in Hawaii. Some are listed for you below.

• DESCRIPTION: Opposed the imposition of an graduated anti-speculated capital gains tax. The tax is unfair to investors and will not materially impede the turnover of real property in Hawaii
  • S.B. 2392 was deferred.
  • H.B. 2733 was deferred.
    
    
• DESCRIPTION: Opposed the regular surveys of residents of residential buildings on issues relating to medical, disabled, and other special needs for emergency preparation purposes. Such requirement would violate the Fair Housing Act. The very act of issuing a survey, even if it is voluntary, can be construed to be discriminatory.
  • S.B. 2046 was deferred.
    
    
• DESCRIPTION: Opposed the establishment of a five-year moratorium on the development of agricultural lands located in the State for which general planning has not commenced. Such a broad stroke will impede on current and legitimate development projects.
  • S.B. 2641 passed with amendments.
  • H.B. 2684 unknown as of Friday, 2 p.m.

2008 ELECTION FEVER
In the essence of "short and sweet," today is the first day candidates can pick up nomination papers from the state Office of Elections. The deadline for candidates to file for the September primaries is July 22.

Some and notable races that will create for an intesting election year this year.

• Rep. Josh Green, D-6th (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua-Kona) will challenge Sen. Paul Whalen, R-4th (Kohala, Kona, Kau).

• Sen. Lorraine Inouye, D-1st (Hilo, Hamakua, Waimea) will vacate her Senate post and enter the 2008 Mayoral race.

• Rep. Dwight Takamine, D-1st (North Kohala, Hamakua, South Hilo) will vacate his House seat to vye for the Senate seat with Republican Ted Hong, a Hilo attorney.

• Former Democratic Party of Hawaii Chairman Brickwood Galuteria will challenge Sen. Gordon Trimble, R-12th (Waikïkï, Ala Moana, Downtown).

Stay tuned in the coming months as we provide more information into the various races in addition to information on our candidate selection process.

For the most current and detailed information on bills, go to http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov for bill status and descriptions.

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