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travel expenses for Committee members to travel to Honolulu to lobby <br /> state and federal elected officials in person. <br /> President Rapozo added that it can be easier for individual counties to <br /> push their legislative proposals through the state Legislature because a <br /> single county's package will be smaller and more focused than HSAC's <br /> cross-county legislative package which must represent the length and <br /> breadth of all four counties' interests. <br /> Secretary Chang proposed that the Committee re-examine the hiring of a <br /> full-time, permanent HSAC Executive Director (ED) who would also serve <br /> as HSAC's primary lobbyist. He opined that the expense to hire an ED <br /> would be a worthwhile investment for HSAC when balanced against the <br /> potential lobbying presence at the state Legislature. <br /> Vice President Onishi proposed that each individual county contribute to <br /> the cost of hiring an ED or lobbyist along with HSAC. Secretary Chang <br /> proposed that the monies or a portion thereof, derived from the NACo <br /> Prescription Drug Marketing Fee Program be used to hire an ED or <br /> lobbyist. Maui County Council Chair Baisa informed the Committee that <br /> when Maui County researched the cost to hire a private lobbyist, <br /> estimated contract costs totaled $30K to $40K. <br /> Treasurer Victorino emphasized that the most important take-away from <br /> this discussion is the importance of a united four county effort. He further <br /> opined that a single point person to represent county interests would be <br /> an invaluable lobbying tool at the state Legislature. <br /> Vice President Onishi reminded the Committee that the HSAC Legislative <br /> package should represent a collaboration between the four counties and <br /> opined that the 2014 package should be tightly focused and with fewer <br /> individual legislative measures than prior years. <br /> President Rapozo reminded the Committee that it has already approved <br /> Maui Mayor Arakawa and Maui County Council Chair's joint proposal <br /> regarding the HSAC Lobbying Plan for the 2014 state Legislative session <br /> on May 6, 2013. He proposed that Maui Mayor Arakawa and Maui County <br /> Council Chair create a HSAC Legislative Liaison job description, including <br /> a proposed compensation package, to submit for the Committee's <br /> discussion and approval. <br /> This item was received and filed. President Rapozo requested that this <br /> agenda item be scheduled again for a future Committee meeting to <br /> discuss further. <br /> 4 <br />