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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0684.000 2006-2008 rr or BOB JACOBSON ~ 333 Kilauea Avenue, Second Floor Councilmember Ben Franklin Building, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Chair, Environmental Management Committee Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 .t ' Phone: (808) 961-8263 Vice-Chair, Finance Committee R~01~"'' Fax: (808)961-8912 E-Mail: jjaco@co.hawan.hi.us r--. HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawaii September 20, 2007 Pete Hoffmann, Chair And Members of the Hawaii County Council Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Re: HSAC legislative priorities Aloha Pete, By maarts of this letter I am forwazding suggested legislation for inclusion in the HSAC legislative priorities packet. L,would also like to ask that this matter be waived from the Public Works & Intergovernmental Relations Committee and be placed on the agenda of the Oct. 3, 2007 Council meeting for consideration of the full Council. • Legislation relating to product labeling. In the interest of protecting the good name and reputation of Hawaiian grown products, this legislation would mandate labeling of percentages and countries of origin for "other" than Hawaiian grown products. For example, most Kona Coffee sold here is a blend of about 75% local and 25% Columbian. This legislation could address 3 related issues: • Protect Hawai`i's agricultural industry and products by requiring that honey, macadamia nuts, coffee, and vanilla that has any information or name indicating "Hawal`i" or a region of Hawaii be identified on the front label with the country of origin and percentage of each country's portion of that product in letters equal in size to the largest font on the label. • Increase the minimum percentage of Kona-grown coffee from 10% to 75% for any coffee blend using the label, "Kona Coffee Blend", and require the front label to reflect the country of origin for remainder of the coffee blend in letters as large as the largest font for any other information or company name. • Establish a minimum of 100% Hawaii-grown product for a label to say "100% Hawaii-Grown (product)", "Hawaii-Grown (product)", "100% Hawaiian (product)", or "Hawaiian (product)", "100% Hawaii-Made (product)", "Hawai`i-Made (product)", or "Hawaiian-Made". [Spices added to a product should be exempted unless spice is the major portion of the product.] • Legislation relating to Agricultural Products. In the interest of protecting our important agricultural resources, this legislation would support federal "Country of Origin Labeling" (C.O.O.L.) for honey, Comrn: Na District 6 -Upper Puna, Ka't7, and South Kona pgf. Td Hawaii County /s An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employe/- ~t9 SEQ 21200a Ref. macadamia nuts, vanilla, and coffee as described under the Federal C.O.O.L. Act. (Comments from the "Farm Bill Forum Comment Summary & Background" report on the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, suggesting expansion of the federal Country of Origin Labeling (C.O.O.L.) to include Hawaii products, such as, honey, macadamia nuts, coffee, and vanilla.) • Legislation relating to invasive species. In the interest of protecting agricultural crops, native plants and animals, this legislation would increase funds to Counties for implementing and/or expanding invasive species mitigation and eradication programs. • Legislation relating to Public Safety. In the interest of fiscal responsibility and judicial prudence, this legislation seeks to repeal HRS 286-26 requiring safety inspection certification for passenger vehicles in all Counties. • Legislation relating to Counties. In the interest of providing low interest loans to Counties for Capital Improvement Projects, this legislation would amend the operating budget and establish a fund depositing once yearly the amount of 10% of the available fund balance, to make loans available to counties for Capital Improvement Projects. ~ `M~ahalo, Att. BJ/bl PETE HOFFMANN BRENDA FORD Chair & Presidin Officer ~[r ~ g ~•~!s STACY K. HIGA DONALDIKEDA K. ANGEL PILAGO ~i BOB JACOBSON Vme Chair EMILY I. NAEOLE .'~~t~~ DOMINIC YAGONG R•os n' J YOSHIMOTO HAWAI `I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai `i Hawaii County Building 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 September 20, 2007 Pete Hoffmann, Chair Hawaii County Council 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, Hawaii 96720 RE: Communication transmitting Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) Legislative Priorities for Hawaii County. Pursuant to Section 2(g) of Rule 4 of the Rules of Procedure of the Council of the County of Hawaii, this written request is submitted with my approval that the above-referenced matter be waived from the Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations Committee to the full Council for immediate action. In reviewing this matter, timely approval is crucial. It is therefore advantageous that approval is granted and the matter placed onto the next Council agenda for review. However, in the event this request is denied, for whatever reason, I understand the matter shall be referred to the Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations Committee for placement on its future agenda. Sincerely, ~ Brenda Ford, Chair Public Works and Intergovernmental Relations Committee Approve ate/Waive to Council: Disapproved/Date/Refer to FC: ~ ~QC Pete Hoffmann, Chair Pete Hoffmann, Chair Hawaii County Council ` Hawaii County Council BF/bl Hawaii County /s An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer ~VVay~, BOB .lACOB.SON 333 Kilauea Avenue, Second Floor COLLDCIIDiQILl101' Ben Franklin Building, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Chair, Environmental Mana ement Committee ~ Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 8 Phone: (808) 964-8263 Vice-Chair, Finance Committee Fax: (808) 961-8912 E-Mail: jjaco@co.hawaii.hi.us HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County ofHawai'i September 18, 2007 Mel Rapozo, Chair Hawai' i State Association of Counties Honolulu, Hawaii Re: Rationale for proposed legislation for HSAC legislative priorities package Aloha Mel, Attached for your review is proposed legislation for inclusion in the HSAC Legislative Priorities package. This legislation is important because it will address the issues of product labeling and establishing minimal percentages of "other" than local grown products in advertising standards. Mahalo~, ~t~7~1(f District 6 _ Upper Puna, Ka'u, and Sauth Kona Hawaii County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer .B. NO. A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO PRODUCT BRANDING AND LABELING. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: 1 SECTION 1. All products made and packaged in Hawaii shall 2 conform with the following: 3 Require that honey, macadamia nuts, coffee, and vanilla 4 products that have any information or name indicating "Hawai`i" 5 or a region of Hawaii be identified on the front label with 6 the country of origin and percentage of each country's portion 7 of that product in letters equal in size to the largest font on 8 the label. 9 l0 Establish a minimum of 1000 Hawaii-grown product for a 11 label to say "100°s Hawaii-Grown (product)", "Hawaii-Grown 12 (product)", "1000 Hawaiian (product)", or "Hawaiian (product)", 13 "1000 Hawaii-Made (product)", "Hawai`i-Made (product)", or 14 "Hawaiian-Made". [Spices added to a product should be exempted 15 unless spice is the major portion of the product.] 16 17 SECTION 2. All local product packaging and labeling shall 18 reflect the following: 19 20 Increase the minimum percentage of Kona-grown coffee from 21 loo to 75% for any coffee blend using the label, "Kona Coffee 22 Blend," and require the front label to reflect the country of 23 origin for remainder of the coffee blend in letters as large as 24 the largest font for any other information or company name. 25 26 SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed 27 and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. 28 29 SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 30 31 INTRODUCED BY: BOB JACOBSON ^ w 333 Kilauea Avenue, Second Floor Councilmember Ben Franklin Building, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Chair, Environments! Management Committee Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 Vice-Chair, Finance Committee ~a'N~" Phone: (808) 961-8263 Fax: (808)961-8912 E-Mail: jjaco@co.hawaii.hi.us HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai `i September 20, 2007 Mel Rapozo, Chair Hawai i State Association of Counties Honolulu, Hawaii Re: Rationale for proposed legislation for HSAC legislative priorities package Aloha Mel, Attached for your review is proposed legislation for inclusion in the HSAC Legislative Priorities package. This legislation is important for enforcing the Federal COOL Act and in protecting our 100 locally grown agricultural products including honey, macadamia nuts and coffee. Mahalo, District 6 -Upper Puna, Ka `A, and South Kona Hawaii County Is An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer .B. NO. A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: 1 SECTION 1. There shall be established a program for 2 inspection, enforcement and true disclosure in packaging and 3 labeling of agricultural products to include front package 4 labeling of Countries of Origin of all percentages of non 5 Hawaiian produce. 6 SECTION 2. There shall be front label packaging of 1000 7 Hawaiian Honey, Macadamia Nuts and Coffee as described under the 8 Federal COOL Act. 9 SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed 10 and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. 11 SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. lz 13 14 INTRODUCED BY: 1-Rehiring retirees w y-_ ' BOB JACOBSON My 333 K7auea Avenue, Second Floor Councilmember Ben Franklin Building, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Chair, Environmental Management Committee Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 ~'h•..:N'} ~ Phone: (808) 961-8263 Vice-Chair, Finance Committee O1 Fax: (808) 961-8912 E-Mail: jjaco~co.hawaii.hi.us HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County ofHawai'i September 20, 2007 Mel Rapozo, Chair Hawai i State Association of Counties Honolulu, Hawaii Re: Rationale for proposed legislation for HSAC legislative priorities package Aloha Mel, Attached for your review is proposed legislation for inclusion in the HSAC Legislative Priorities package. This legislation is important for Counties in combating invasive species on all islands. The Counties must have financial support to implement programs they have identified and prioritized. Mahalo, ~t~ District 6 -Upper Puna, Xa `!t, and South Kona Hawai `i County /s An Equal Opportunity Provider And Employer .B. NO. A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO INVASIVE SPECIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: 1 SECTION 1. There shall be available for deposit each 2 fiscal year the amount of not less than 10% of the available 3 fund balance at the end of the fiscal year, into a fund 4 established for the purpose of combating invasive species on all 5 islands. 6 SECTION 2. There shall be established a streamlined method 7 of applying for invasive species funds including assessments for S prioritizing needs. 9 SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed 10 and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. 11 SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 12 13 INTRODUCED BY: ~c~w 333 Kilauea Avenue, Second Floor BOB JACOBSON Councilmember ,i Ben Franklin Building, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Chair, Environmental Management Committee Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 Vice-Chair Finance Committee 'i•o:'~k" Phone: (808) 961-8263 Fax: (808)961-8912 E-Mail: jjaco@co.hawaii.hi.us HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai `i September 20, 2007 Mel Rapozo, Chair Hawaii State Association of Counties Honolulu, Hawaii Re: Rationale for proposed legislation for HSAC legislative priorities package Aloha Mel, Attached for your review is proposed legislation for inclusion in the HSAC Legislative Priorities package. This legislation is important for fiscal and judicial responsibility. Under the current law Safety checks are dispensed by "official" safety inspection certification centers, or gas stations that have been approved by request. The official center is responsible for determining the safety of the vehicle and then issuing the certificate at a minimal cost to consumers. The HRS currently sets the cost of the certification stickers at $.20 and $.25, of which both are necessary, for a total cost of $.45 that the center must pay to the State. After a little research I have found the cost of safety certification stickers to consumers is anywhere from $15 to $27 on the Big Island. The sticker alone does not ensure the safety of the vehicle. The current program also fosters insurance fraud by mandating proof of insurance as a condition of receiving a safety check. Many drivers on the Big Island can not afford insurance and produce fraudulent documents to obtain safety checks, this is a common practice well known to authorities and the official safety check centers as well. There is no rationale for continuing this program and therefore the law requiring safety inspection certifications for passenger vehicles should be repealed. This would not result in an increase of dangerous vehicles on the roads as regulating and enforcing safe vehicles is addressed in other sections of the HRS, that the police departments will continue to have jurisdiction over and responsibilities for. Mahalo, ~F~~ District 6 ~ Upper Puna, Ka `A, and South Kona Hawaii County /s An Equai Opportunity Provider And Employer .B. NO. A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO VEHICLE SAFETY INSPECTIONS. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: 1 SECTION 1. Section 286-26, Sub section (b), Hawaii 2 Revised Statutes, is amended by adding the category of 3 "passenger cars" to be exempt and to read as follows: 4 No vehicles, (with the exception of passenger cars,) 5 including motorcycles, trailers, semitrailers, and pole trailers 6 having a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less, 7 and antique motor vehicles as defined in section 249-1, except 8 those in subsection (c)and (d), shall be certified as provided 9 in subsection (e) every twelve months. 10 SECTION 2. Section 286-26, Subsection (d), Hawaii Revised 11 Statutes, is amended by adding the category of "light passenger 12 vehicle" and requiring compliance only if found in violation of 13 Sections 286-21 and/or 286-22 and to read as follows: 14 No vehicle( with the exception of passenger cars, unless 15 found to be in violation of HRS Sections 286-21 and 286-22,) 16 shall be certified prior to the issuance of a temporary or 17 permanent registration by the director of finance and prior to 18 the transfer of any registration; provided that this requirement Page t . ~ . w O . 1 shall not apply to a subsequent transfer of registration in a 2 vehicle that carries a current certificate of inspection. 3 SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed 4 and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. 5 SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. 6 7 INTRODUCED BY: ~`r u. 333 Kilauea Avenue, Second Floor BOB JACOBSON Councilmember Ben Franklin Building, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Chair, Environmenta/Management Committee Mailing Address: 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 200 Vice-Chair, Finance Committee '~'o:'M~" Phone: (808) 961-8263 Fax: (808)961-8912 E-Mail: ,gaco@co.hawaii.hi.us HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL county of Hawai `i September 20, 2007 Mel Rapozo, Chair Hawaii State Association of Counties Honolulu, Hawaii Re: Rationale for proposed legislation for HSAC legislative priorities package Aloha Mel, Attached for your review is proposed legislation for inclusion in the HSAC Legislative Priorities package. This legislation is important for Counties to be able to access funding for Capital Improvement Projects. The State has a fund balance at the end of every fiscal year that should be used in part to establish and fund a special fund for Counties to apply for low interest loans. The current process of requesting funds from the State Revolving Fund is inadequate to deal with the amount of unfunded mandates the Counties have been and will continue to inherit from the State. This fund will assist Counties in securing funds for projects, receive funds for shortfalls and receive funds for emergency projects. Mahalo, c~71 U District 6 Upper Puna, Ka `A, and South Kona Hawaii County /s An Equa! Opportunity Provider And Employer .B. NO. A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO COUNTIES, ESTABLISHING A PERMANENT FUND FOR LOW INTEREST LOANS TO COUNTIES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII: 1 SECTION 1. There shall be established a permanent fund for 2 low interest loans to Counties for Capital Improvement Projects. 3 SECTION 2. There shall also be established a streamlined 4 method of assessing priorities and applying for loans. 5 SECTION 3. Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed 6 and stricken. New statutory material is underscored. 7 SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect upon its approval. S 9 INTRODUCED BY: ~ Emily I. Naeole Council Member . Mailin Address: ~ Business Address: (FormergCounry Building h O1 333 Kilauea Avenue, Second Floor 25 Aupuni Street Ben Franklin Building Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Hilo, Hawaii 96720 Hawai `i County Council County of Hawai `i Telephone: (808) 96/-8267 Facsimile: (808) 961-8912 MEMORANDUM TO: Mel Rapozo, chair Hawaii State Association of Counties FROM: Emily Naeole, Council Member DATE: September ai, aoo~ RE: Proposed initiatives for HSAC legislative priorities package I'm writing to respectfully ask that the Hawaii State Association of Counties advocate the following initiatives during the upcoming legislative session: - creating agricultural-based, technological-based, and higher educational-based economic development opportunities in rural areas. We need to curtail our reliance on tourism, knowing that focusing on one industry for jobs is, at the very least, unwise. We all know that the price of gasoline is on the rise, and this is going to have a dramatic impact on domestic travel. - combating homelessness in rural areas such as the Puna District that I represent. Through state, county and private partnerships, we can effectively address homelessness with emergency shelters and transitional housing. - providing affordable housing opportunities for the average resident, including kupuna. Along with creating incentives for developers to engage in meaningful partnerships with government agencies to create housing truly affordable to the 1 Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer average resident, we need to relax our Building Codes. It is imperative that we change our Building Codes so that building division staff in the various counties aren't relying on what is pertinent in areas of the mainland US that have very different lifestyles and climates. Along with letting people residing in grass shacks, let's let people grow bamboo in their backyard, harvest it, and use that bamboo to create a hale. - Creating an alternative route into and out of the Puna District. Rather than focusing on widening the existing Highway i3o, we need to focus our efforts on creating another way into and out of my district. To have one way in and one way out of a district that is said to be the fastest growing the state is a public safety nightmare waiting to happen. We all know that Tutu Pele is alive and well in my district and it is only a matter of time when she will overtake Puna's sole highway. Without an alternative road, with an inadequate harbor at Pohoiki, and without an existing airport, I am wondering how the District of Puna will fare when the day comes that Highway i3o is overtaken. That is just the worse case scenario. The congestion of Highway i3o is worsening daily, as the growth in the Puna District remains a steady stream. Aside from pursuing an alternative route, government needs to put any and all resources toward expanding and improving mass transit. The state government could set an example for the private industry by staggering work hours for commuters, and changing the times state offices are open so there isn't a mad rush to take care of government business at 7:45 a.m. Lau Lima, Emily Naeole 5`h District Council Member EIN/tce 2