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agricultural development in the area. The real property tax reform bill has been tabled until a workshop can be conducted. He also stated that the Kauai council will be appointing a new HSAC member to serve as president if the members of the executive committee agree to retain the presidency with Kauai. C. National Association of Counties (NACo) Report President Rapozo distributed copies of a report on the 2008 NACo annual conference to members of the executive committee. He emphasized the importance of HSAC members to educate and inform their fellow councilmembers and the general public of the value of NACo membership. He cited the NACo prescription drug discount card program as an example of how membership in NACo improves the lives of county residents directly. Maui council chair Hokama reported that NACo is convening a governance task force in San Diego on October 1 s'. The task force is considering giving the NACo board the power to appoint committee chairs and removing that power from the NACo presidency. This proposal raises concerns for Hawaii as a member of NACo because the shift in power would favor the large states and result in less representation for Hawaii in NACo governing bodies. Council chair Hokama informed the committee that the NACo fall board meeting is being held in Tempe, Arizona, and he intends to attend the meeting. He stated that he will likely have to travel for his NACo duty as audit chairman. Maui council chair Hokama also informed the committee that to take full advantage of NACo's cooperative purchasing program for the counties the Maui council has submitted a bill for the HSAC legislative package that would allow county governments to take full advantage of the program. President Rapozo stated that this legislative session Senator Chun Oakland will be an important ally in passing the bill proposed by Maui. Secretary Garcia agreed that the proposal would be of great importance to the counties in the coming legislative session. Secretary Garcia commented that the committee should explore giving ex officio or emeritus status to NACo participants from Hawaii counties in order to retain the important institutional knowledge and connections the organization may be losing with the changes in membership of current county councils. President Rapozo stated that a special committee could be formed to allow former members to continue if the incoming HSAC members agreed to it. Treasurer Pontanilla added that NACo bylaws require any members to be elected officials from the respective counties and this rule must be kept in mind. 3