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MEDIA RELEASE A number of the bills passed by the House and now referred to Senate committees were introduced by Rep. Mark Nakashima, District 1 (Hamakua, North Hilo, Rural South Hilo). This year, Nakashima has the added responsibility of serving as Chair of the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment. “Under the leadership of […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Senators have honored Dr. Dennis Gonsalves with a Certificate of Recognition today for his work and research in the field of agriculture. Gonsalves led a team of researchers that developed the first ringspot virus-resistant papaya in 1991, known as the Rainbow Papaya. Before the Rainbow Papaya was released to growers in 1998, the […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The state Senate honored and commemorated the late Hawaii County Councilmember Spencer Kalani Schutte during its floor session Thursday. Senators presented his family with a Certificate of Recognition for his advocacy and work to help the less fortunate. “Councilman Spencer Kalani Schutte’s unwavering advocacy for the poor, the homeless, the physically and emotionally […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The House Finance Committee led by Rep. Sylvia Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa), has passed out the proposed state budget that is scheduled for a vote next week by the full House. HB200 HD1 appropriates funds for operating and capital improvement costs of the Executive Branch for the current […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Several bills that deal specifically with issues of concern to Big Island residents passed their final vote in the House today and will be sent to the Senate for their consideration. Included are: HB 417 HD2 seeks to address the shortage of primary care providers and improve access to healthcare in general by […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Hawaii House of Representatives unanimously passed HB131 HD2, which will create a Task Force on Mobility Management within the State Department of Health to establish a framework to assist elders and individuals with disabilities with transportation needs in rural communities. Across Hawaii, especially on the neighbor islands, there is a need for […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The Hawaii State Senate voted Tuesday to pass 348 measures on third reading, ahead of Thursday’s First Crossover deadline. Tuesday marked the 25th day of the 27th Legislature and the Senate and House are taking final votes on bills for third reading before the measures transfer chambers on First Crossover. The First Crossover […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Among the measures that passed their final vote in the House are several bills that are focused on sustainability, improving the environment, revitalizing our economy and improving the quality of life for Hawaii’s citizens. “As we hit the half way point of this legislative session the House of Representatives is committed to exploring […]

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MEDIA RELEASE WHO: House Reps. Cindy Evans (North Kona, North Kohala, South Kohala), Denny Coffman (Naalehu, Ocean View, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Kailua-Kona), and Nicole Lowen (Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa, Honokohau). WHAT: Deputy Director of Transportation – Airports Division, Ford Fuchigami, will report on the status of the Kona International Airport expansion project. Forum will also include […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Among the measures approved by the House several focused on sustainability, the environment, the economy, healthy living and improving the quality of life of Hawaii’s citizens. HB 503 Relating to the General Excise Tax The bill provides local farmers with a tax deduction for all produce grown and sold within the state. HB […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The House Committee on Finance unanimously passed HB1419 HD1, which will appropriate additional funds to support the development and expansion of Hawaii’s aerospace and related industries. Supplemental funding will be provided to the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) to help attract aerospace technology and corporations to Hawaii. The funding will […]

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MEDIA RELEASE Education Week at the State Capitol is right around the corner! This year marks the 10th anniversary of Education Week, which is March 18-22. Organized by the state Senate Committee on Education, this interactive week-long celebration honors the achievements and innovative efforts of our local schools, educators and various programs throughout the state […]

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MEDIA RELEASE This year, the Hawaii State Legislature introduced 2,872 bills. The Hawaii State Senate introduced 1, 388 bills on this first year of the 27th Legislative biennium. In the 2012 Session, Senators introduced 1,072 bills. The deadline for bill introductions was Jan. 24. The measures were sent to their respective committees for consideration. The […]

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MEDIA RELEASE The state Senate is taking a five-day recess and will resume Thursday. Legislators typically use this opportunity to spend time in their communities and with their constituencies, including providing their constituents with updates on pending legislation. During a recess, the Legislature does not formally convene for floor session. However, legislative offices are open […]

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