Summary of Hearing Notices as of 1/31/08

WHL/AGR 2/1 8:30 rm325

Several bills defining "important ag lands"

North Kohala coastline in Hawaii rezoned conservaiton

Allows rezoning certain ag lands as Rural

Addressing Fake Farms

indemnifies the owner of an irrigation system, dam, or reservoir
for tort liability under certain conditions.

Amends the state water code to support making sufficient water
available for agricultural activity on important agricultural
lands. Moritorium on drilling wells in ag land.

WLH/AGR DATE: Friday, February 1, 2008,TIME: 9:00a.m.PLACE:
Conference Room 325

Programs to help taro farmers

WLH DATE: Monday, February 4, 2008, TIME: 8:30 a.m., PLACE:
Conference Room 312

Establishes limitations on liability for damages for owners of
dams and reservoirs.

Increases the maximum penalty for violations within the
Conservation District

WTL DATE: Monday, February 4, 2008, TIME: 2:45 p.m.PLACE:
Conference Room 414

Provides the board and the department of land and natural
resources with the power to make rule changes and decisions
regarding hunting without going through the rulemaking process.

Enhanced tax credit for owners who dedicate their land to
non-development purposes

EEP DATE: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 TIME: 10:00 am PLACE:
Conference Room 312

Permits small wind energy systems in all land use districts
where structures of any sort are allowed except for the
conservation district unless permitted by the department of land
and natural resources.

Bottle recycling and redemtion

Electric vehicles

AHW/ENE DATE: Tuesday, February 5, 2008 TIME: 2:00 PM PLACE:
Conference Room 414

Related to endangered spp Prohibits the sale of plants
designated as restricted plants or noxious weeds.

Loan program for the development of sustainable energy by
farmers and aquaculturists.

appropriates funds for the department of agriculture's
biosecurity program

JUD DATE: Tuesday, February 5th, 2008 TIME: 2:00pm PLACE:
Conference Room 325

HB2455 Takes the cap of corporate campaign contributions.

HB2602 Doubles the amount a candidate can transfer from campaign
or surplus funds to a community or charitable organization. This
allows candidates to contribute to organizations that support
the candidate and opens the door to "swift boat" type
organizations.

Environmental Legislative Network Meeting

the Environmental Legislative Network meets every Friday at noon during the session at the Sierra Club office Room 306 Richards Street YWCA to talk bills and
network.

SB2466 DOFAW declare hazardous fire areas

SB2466, DOFAW declare hazardous fire areas during fire danger periods PSM on Thursday, 01-31-08 at 8:30 am

HB2005 tax credit to include solar electric energy systems

HB2005, Expands the renewable energy technologies tax credit to include solar electric energy systems. Passed out of EEP and referral to FIN

HB2356 Fake Farms

HB2356 Agriculture; Farm Dwelling max size house & lot; WLH/AGR on Friday, 02-01-08 at 8:30 am This is an effort to control fake farm lots

Sustainable Hawaii 2050

Two bills deal with implimenting the recommendations of the Sustainable Hawaii 2050 Plan. HB2590 and SB2833

These bills are important to anyone concerned with the future of Hawaii.

Ka Iwi Coast - East Oahu

Four bills have been submitted to prevent development on the Ka Iwi Coast of East Oahu. HB2984, SB2248, HB2470, HB 3267

You can track these bills by going to http://capitol.hawaii.gov In the right column look for Search, go down one line to Bills and click then put the bill number in the first blank. When you have a particular bill you want to track click the tiny orange box at the top of the status screen and subscribe to an RSS feed. You will get an email telling you of any change in the status of the bill.