HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0170.001 2020-2022HEATHER L. KIMBALL
Council Member
Chair, Committee on Governmental Operations,
Relations and Economic Development
Council District 1
Contact Information
(808) 961-8828
(808) 961-8018 (staff)
heather.kimball@hawaiicounty.gov
HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawai `i w
Hawai `i County Building
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 1402
Hilo, Hawai `i 96720
DATE: March 15, 2021 r
TO: Maile David, Council Chair
And Members of the Hawaii County Council
FROM:*Heather L. Kimball, Council Member
Council District 1
SUBJECT: Concerning Communication 170, Requesting an Update on HSAC Legislative Priorities
and 2021 Annual Conference Plans
Attached please find the Draft Minutes from the HSAC Special Executive Committee Meeting on
Legislative Session Updates (3/9/2021) to be presented by me, Chair and HSAC Representative, at the
GORED Committee Meeting on 3/16/21. The minutes are expected to be approved at the next HSAC
meeting on March 23, 2021, but I am sharing them now due to the timely nature of the discussion.
Thank you.
HK/j lk
Attachment
Comm. No. 1
Ref. To - N! WOQ.�G
Ref. Date MAR 1 6 H2
Hawai `i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer
Hawai `i State Association of Counties (HSAC)
Counties of Kaua `i, Maui, Hawai `i and City & County of Honolului,
530 South King St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96713 (808) 768 - 5007 www.hawaiicounties.com
1E
MINUTES (draft) -.1
HSAC SPECIAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING (Via ZOOM)
Meeting was recorded and recording will be placed on HSAC Website.
Timestamps are noted next to each agenda item.
March 9, 2021
I. CALL TO ORDER (04:52)
The meeting was called to order by CM Waters at 12.12pm
In attendance were: Council Members- Tommy Waters (Oahu), Kelly. King (Maui),
Mason Chock (Kaua `i) and Heather Kimball (Hawai `i County); Council and
Legislative Staff and HSAC Lobbyist, Jon Okudara.
II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA (05:22)
Agenda was approved with no objections.
III. NEW BUSINESS (05:27)
Mr. Okudara updated the Executive Committee of the bills that were "still alive"
including.
• HB 160 and HB 161 (HSAC Bills relating to Vehicle Registration). These bills
are still moving along. Mr. Okudara asked if he had permission to propose an
amendment to "remove the $10 limit" from HB 160. Officers made no
objections.
• HB 8031 SB 756 (Relating to- Electric Vehicles). Mr. Okudara suggested
considering amending this bill's requirement to increase electric vehicle stalls
in parking lots with more than 100 parking spaces from 1 to 5 to push back the
start date.
• HB 485 (Relating to Taxation). The state wants to increase rental vehicle
surcharge from $5 to $8 and the counties get zero. CM Waters proposed that
Mr. Okudara ask for an amendment that allocates that the counties get 50% of
this surcharge (regardless of the dollar amount).
• HB 497 (Relating to County Zoning Ordinances). CM Waters said this bill was
`concerning" and Mr. Okudara was unclear in its purpose. Mr. George Forest
(Attorney for the City of Honolulu) said that there was testimony stating this
bill would have very little influence in actual practice.
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• HB1314 (Relating to Taxation). All agreed that this bill was the state trying to
take more funding and authority from the counties. Officers were urged to
speak to their state delegation about opposing this bill.
• SB 775 (Relating to Transient Accomodation Tax). Mr. Okudara stated that
this bill needs to be watched bacause of its title. It could be used to grab more
`county" funds if it is changed through `gut and replace".
• SB 1034 (Relating to Sunshine Law Boards). This is the OIP Bill. Honolulu
County has put forward a similar resolution and Hawai ` i County is
considering doing the same. Attorney George Forest recommended that if
HSAC wants this bill to pass, that they don't try adding an amemdment that
might jeopordize its passing. Testimony is needed by all to try to get it passed
as is because OIP does not seem to support recent amemndments to the bill. CM
Kimball proposed that HSAC work on a bill for next year in collaboration with
Common Cause and League of Women Voters that would allow more flexibility
for Council Members to caucus.
• SB 1123 (Relating to Counties) Mr. Okudara wanted guidance on whether to
supoort, oppose or do nothing on this bill. Concerns were raised about the
conditions of the properties being `given" to the counties to maintain. He will
draft an amemdment inserting language to clarify property conditions and get
back to the executive committee.
IV. ADJOURNMENT (1:19.21)
The meeting was adjourned by CM Waters at approximately 1:26pm with no objections.
Council Member Heather Kimball
Secretary, Hawaii State Association of Counties