Categorized | Government, News

Senate passes more than 325 bills on third reading

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hawaii State Senate passed out more than 325 bills in preparation for the March 15 First Crossover, the initial major deadline of the 2011 legislative session.

All of the bills will now go over to the State House of Representatives which will conduct its own review and determination.

During a long session, the Senate approved the majority of bills that were on the calendar. The Senate began the current session in January with more than 1,500 pieces of legislation to consider.

The bills passed covered a wide variety of areas, to include the economy, human services, medical care, education and the infrastructure of the islands. Some of the specific topics and bills that will now be considered by the House of Representatives include:

* Senate Bill 651 regarding foreclosures which requires organizations conducting home foreclosures to engage in a resolution process with the home owners before finalizing the foreclosure;

* Senate Bill 580 regarding the environment which establishes two marine life conservations districts in Maui;

* Senate Bill 255 regarding tax exemptions which creates annual exemptions from the General Excise Tax for some school supply purchases;

* Senate Bill 904 regarding homelessness which requires the Department of Human Services to find suitable properties that can be converted to affordable rental housing projects;

* Senate Bill 912, another homeless bill, which appropriates funds for a housing placement program for the homeless and to increase the number of affordable housing projects in the state;

* Senate Bill 1482, regarding energy alternatives which allows the Public Utilities Commission to consider capital improvement investments for renewable energy and energy efficiency even though there may be short term expenses.

The Senate will also receive bills that pass out from the House of Representatives for their consideration.

All legislation must be finalized and forwarded to the Governor for his consideration by the last day of session, Thursday, May 5.

— Find out more:
www.hawaiisenatemajority.com

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