Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

The Senate introduced 1,690 bills for the 2009 Legislative Session, while the House introduced 1,843 bills. That was the total tally after this week’s cut-off date.

Gov. Linda Lingle submitted a package of 168 legislative bills to the Legislature.

“This is a robust legislative package that will help streamline government, improve the delivery of critical services, keep our citizens and visitors safe, and help ensure a stronger future for Hawaii,” she said.

Among the administration’s priorities are measures to increase Hawaii’s energy independence, as well as measures to increase the state’s food self-sufficiency, by decreasing the over-reliance on food imports and strengthening the agriculture industry.

Her package also includes long-term initiatives to upgrade and modernize the state’s critical infrastructure, such as the six-year, $4.2 billion Highways Modernization Plan; a five-year, $240 million “Recreational Renaissance” plan to reinvigorate the state’s land- and ocean-based recreational facilities to renew and care for state parks, trails, small boat harbors and forest reserves; and the creation of a new Hawaii Communications Commission to focus on enhancing the state’s broadband and information technology communications infrastructure.

Other bills focus on creating safer communities and protecting residents from crime, protecting the environment and enhancing the islands’ natural resources, increasing access to health care, increasing affordable housing opportunities and assisting the homeless, improving public education and the University of Hawaii, and lowering fees.

Big Island senators chipped in a few bills themselves. Sen. Russell Kokubun introduced 69 bills, while Sen. Dwight Takamine and Sen. Josh Green each are attached to more than 100.

Meanwhile, in the House, the emphasis was on bills related to the economy, education, and health and safety issues. Members were asked to submit legislation for consideration that had statewide relevance, and will help the state’s future growth and stability.

“Although we face a challenging economic crisis that will severely impact our ability to appropriate funding for programs, we clearly see the importance of ensuring quality education for our children, public health and safety, and preparing the state to succeed in the long-term,” said House Majority Leader Blake Oshiro. “The Legislature considers thousands of bills each year; the Majority Package reflects our priorities.”

The House health care package of eight bills is a top priority.

According to the Hawaii House Blog, Rep, Jon Riki Karamatsu, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, introduced the Hawaii Doctor Recruitment and Retention Action Plan (HI-DRRAP) 2009, covering issues that medical professionals have cited as reasons for the increasing doctor shortage and rising cost of care.

“We cannot afford to continue losing doctors, especially for the under-served and rural areas of the state, and tort reform is not the only answer,” Karamatsu said. “That is why we decided to introduce such a diverse package.”

The House proposals include:

* Re-establishing the patient compensation fund
*Changing the make-up and duties of the medical claims conciliation panel
*Creating a cap on non-economic damages, tax credits for physicians serving in rural areas, a tort cap for specialty doctors such as neurologists
*Amending the duties of the Hawai‘i healthcare primary incentive program
*Convening a task force to develop a comprehensive strategic plan
*Establishing an office of state coordinator of health information exchange in order to advance efforts to create a statewide health information exchange network

— Find out more:
Senate Bills: www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2009/lists/RptIntroSB.aspx
Hawaii House Blog: http://hawaiihouseblog.blogspot.com/
Hawaii State Legislature Bill Status and Documents: www.capitol.hawaii.gov/site1/docs/docs.asp
Lingle’s Legislative Package: www.hawaii.gov/gov/initiatives