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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0040.004 2024-2026HEATHER L. KIMBALL Council District I (North Hilo, Hamdkua, andportion of Waimea) Phone: (808) 961-8828 Fax. (808) 961-8912 Email: Heather Kimballahaivaiicountggov HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL 25 Aupuni Street, Ste. 1402. U c) Hilo, Hawaii 96720 o c5 CD n c MEMORANDUM co sr DATE: December 18, 2025 o = TO: Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba, Council Chair and Members of the Hawaii County Council FROM: -6 l Heather L. Kimball, Council Member Council District 1 SUBJECT: Approved minutes of the Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee Meetings held on September 29, October 30 and November 21, 2025. Please find attached, the approved minutes of the Hawaii State Association of Counties Executive Committee Meetings held on September 29, October 30 and November 21, 2025. Please place these matters on the agenda for the next appropriate Committee. Mahalo, HK/scm Hawai 7 County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Comsn. i;o. Ref. To: Ref. Date DEC 1 9 2025 Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) Counties of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and City & County of Honolulu Website: hawaiicounties.o'i Email: hsaca7hawaiicounties.ore MINUTES HSAC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MONDAY, September 29, 2025 12:00 p.m., or soon thereafter Via Videoconference Zoom link Meeting ID: 870 0743 2491 Passcode: 181556 City and County of Honolulu 530 South King Street, Room 202, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2409, Hilo, Hawaii %720 County of Kauai 4396 Rice Street, Suite 209, LYhu`e, Kauai, Hawaii 96766 County of Maui 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793 1. CALL TO ORDER 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. MINUTES a. August 25, 2025 Executive Committee Meeting 4. REPORTS a. Treasurer's Report The balance in the primary HSAC account. $254, 793.02. September 29, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting MinutesPage 12 The balance in the HSAC conference account: $188,419.82. Total deposit account balances: $443,212.84. b. County Reports: i. County of Hawaii CM Kimball: Introduced various draft measures that may be of interest to the executive committee. Draft bills include matters related to: establishment of zoning, real property tax credits, feral animals, regulations for Department of Building, additional experience qualifications for Director of Environmental Management, and disposable plastic waste. ii. County of Kauai CM Carvalho: Introduced various draft measures that may be of interest to the executive committee. Draft bills include matters related to: amend land designation for agriculture on Tax Map Key, creation of new definitions for emerging electric transportation, and increase of taxi cab rates related to Touring or Chartered Time. iii. County of Maui CM Paltin: Introduced various draft measures that may be of interest to the executive committee. Draft bills include matters related to: the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact, real property tax assessments, establishing digital parking zone map for county beach parks, and amendments to bed and breakfast homes. iv. City and County of Honolulu CM Weyer: Introduced various draft measures that may be of interest to the executive committee. Draft bills include matters related to: amending Residential A Tier system, increases to RPT homeowner's exemptions, and resolution urging Department of Planning and Permitting to provide a public database for all permit processing. c. NACo Report d. WIR Report ED Nahelani Parsons: Initiated planning and coordination with the County of Maui and the Western Interstate Region (WIR) for the May 2026 WIR Conference. Early work includes logistics, sponsor strategy, and initial agenda development. Discussion with CSAC to collaborate on their golf tournament for the HSAC golf tournament September 29, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting MinutesPage 1 3 ��COVNS� ,J�"�`�'°<4 4 * e. Executive Director Report ED Nahelani Parsons: Met with Engagify, a vendor offering association website tools to streamline sponsor engagement and track member participation. Evaluated a legislative tracking system to support policy engagement and analysis. Held initial meetings with the Professional Development Academy to establish a deputy director recruitment and leadership program launching in January 2026 Engaged with Savi, a platform that assists county employees in applying for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Preparing a formal proposal for HSAC consideration at the next meeting. Upcoming Events: October includes the NCCAE annual conference for all Executive Directors; November includes the Opioid Leadership Network conference. f. Legislative Report ED Nahelani Parsons: Drafted three bills for the 2026 session and submitted them to Pew Research for early feedback. Continued work on the county -level response to the opioid settlement and ongoing implementation strategy. Attended a state meeting on transitioningfrom the gas tax to a road usage charge structure, with focus on county impacts. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and reminder on the HSAC legislative timeline and proposed topics that will be reviewed at the October meeting. b. Reminder on the HSAC legislative timeline and open discussion of potential topics to be considered at the October HSAC EC meeting. c. Updates on planning for the HSAC 2026 Annual Conference and WIR 2026 Conference matters. d. Discussion on HSAC revenue strategies, including consideration of other funding sources and potential increases to annual dues. September 29, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting MinutesPage 14 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Scheduling of the next Executive Committee meeting. Friday, October 30th at 10am. 8. ADJOURNMENT a Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) Counties of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and City & County of Honolulu Website: hawaiicounties.ore i Email: hsac(oihawaiicounties.org MINUTES HSAC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30 2025 10:00 A.M., or soon thereafter Via Videoconference Zoom link Meeting ID: 894 6219 6240 Passcode:663865 City and County of Honolulu 530 South King Street, Room 202, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2409, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 County of Kauai 4396 Rice Street, Suite 209, Lihu`e, Kauai, Hawaii 96766 County of Maui 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793 Attendees: President Heather Kimhall, Vice President Tamara Paltin, Treasurer Matt Weyer, Secretary Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. 1. CALL TO ORDER 10:03AM 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Agenda approved. 3. MINUTES No minutes. October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 2 4. REPORTS a. Treasurer's Report The balance in the primary HSAC account: $240,591.63. Treasurer's report received. b. County Reports: i. County of Hawaii CM Kimball: Stand on written report circulated yesterday regarding various measures for discussion. An additional note on the conference, there is a pending donation sponsorship. Otherwise have received all donations in revenue. ii. County of Kauai CM Carvalho: Stand on written report as submitted regarding various measures for discussion. The next in person meeting will be hosted on Kauai, and will work out the date and logistics in the meeting. iii. County of Maui CM Paltin: Did not get a chance to submit a formal report due to extenuating circumstances. Additional note for a bill regarding short term rental and suggested properties that should remain short term rental vacation usage. The recommendation was to create two new categories in "Hotel, " H3 and H4 through a mass council initiating zoning. iv. City and County of Honolulu CM Weyer:Stand on written report as submitted. Still having ongoing conversations regarding RPT and hoping for a more collaborative conversation. There are a few resolutions mirroring Hawaii County's resolution relating to immigrant population and constitutional protections. c. NACo Report Approved. d. WIR Report Approved. e. Executive Director Report ED Nahelani Parsons: Stand on submitted report. Recently attended NCCAE which is the executive directors conference last week in New Hampshire. Great opportunities to increase revenue, building out the website to offer more services, and monthly county newspapers to October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 3 �fOVNt�� ,s"""'� 3� establish a better presence to attract corporate partners. Setting up a meeting with Engageify and President Kimball to discuss a new legislative tracking system and communications system. f. Legislative Report ED Nahelani Parsons: Recently had successful meetings with Speaker Nakamura, Majority Leader Quinlan, and Rep. Kahaloa received a letter back in June regarding legislative concepts such as property taxes, wastewater management, and other pieces to have discussion in the interim. Successful meeting, all present, and engaged. Will develop informal working groups related to specific topics. CM Kimball: Sustained funding for counties is critical, not just grants. Create better understanding between State and County operations. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS a. Updates on planning for the HSAC 2026 Annual Conference and WIR 2026 Conference matters. Registration is going live shortly and a site visit is being planned for December. 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion and consideration of proposals for inclusion in the 2026 HSAC Legislative Package: i. HSAC introduced. Relating to Transportation. Bill description: Beginning 7/l/2028, authorizes a county to impose a county mileage -based road usage charge for electric vehicles. Provides and requires a county to establish the rate of the road usage charge. Approved as priority. ii. HSAC introduced. Relating to Prior Authorization for medications used in the treatment of opioid use disorder. Ensures that MOUD prescriptions are covered when deemed medically necessary by a prescribing provider. Approved as priority. iii. HSAC introduced. Establishes a pilot program authorizing paramedics, under Department of Health -approved protocols, to administer October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 4 3e 4 �OVHS\� buprenorphine following naloxone in cases of opioid overdose. Requires the department to verify treatment centers capable of Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. Approved. the same- or next -day follow-up care, provide training, implement a phased rollout, and submit a report evaluating program outcomes. iv. HSAC introduced. Repeals the sunset provision in Act 45, SLH 2O24, related to the counties' authorization to develop, construct, finance, refinance, or otherwise provide mixed -use developments. v. HSAC introduced. Provides a temporary income tax credit for the cost of upgrading or converting a cesspool to a septic system or an aerobic treatment unit system, or connecting to a sewer system. Permits DOH, as a pilot program, to certify no more than two residential large capacity cesspools. Defines terms. Effective 7/1/2027.Sunsets 12/31/2032. vi. HSAC introduced. Requesting the Department of Education to make available recreational facilities to the public during non -peak hours and non -school days. vii. Maui County Resolution No. 25-153, APPROVING FOR INCLUSION IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE A STATE BILL RELATING TO THE PSYCHOLOGY INTERJURISDICTIONAL COMPACT, which was approved by the Maui County Council on September 8, 2025. viii. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-265, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO AFFIRM THE AUTHORITY OF COUNTIES TO REGULATE THE October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 5 Z�•"""" 1 'I O" SALE OF CIGARETTES, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND ELECTRONIC SMOKING DEVICES, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. Approved. ix. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-266, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES' LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO REMOVE THE VOLUME LIMIT FOR ELIGIBLE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINERS, THEREBY ALLOWING ALL SIZES OF QUALIFYING BEVERAGE CONTAINERS TO BE REDEEMED AND RECYCLED THROUGH THE DEPOSIT BEVERAGE CONTAINER PROGRAM, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. Not included. x. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-271, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE REPEAL COUNTY REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS ON RESIDENTIALLY ZONED LOTS, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. Not included. xi. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-272, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO AFFIRM THE AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTIES TO REGULATE THE DEVELOPMENT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. Approved. October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 16 e3gF*F•=F,� xii. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-273, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 Approved. Approved. Approved. HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION FROM MEDIATION IN PATERNITY PROCEEDINGS WHERE THERE ARE ALLEGATIONS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND MAKE OTHER RELATED AMENDMENTS, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. xiii. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-274, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO ALLOW GUN BUYBACK EVENTS TO BE HELD IN EACH COUNTY AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. xiv. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-275, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO FUND ENFORCEMENT OF AND PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS ON GUN VIOLENCE PROTECTIVE ORDERS, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October I, 2025. xv. City and County of Honolulu Resolution No. 25-276, RELATING TO THE INCLUSION OF A PROPOSAL IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL REVOLVING FUND, which was approved by the Council of the City and County of Honolulu on October 1, 2025. October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 17 �•'"""" Approved. xvi. Hawaii County Resolution No. 307-25, A RESOLUTION APPROVING Not included. Not included. Not included. Approved. Approved. THE HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS AND PRIORITIES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE 2026 HAWAI`I STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE, which was approved by the Hawaii County Council on September 17, 2025. 1. A draft bill relating to repeal of the preemption of local authority to regulate tobacco products; 2. A draft bill to allow counties to request a State land use boundary amendment from the agricultural to rural districts for small, contiguous parcels; 3. A draft bill to require denitrification in individual wastewater systems under certain conditions; 4. A draft bill to extend the county surcharge of the general excise tax until 2040; 5. A draft bill to establish the Homeless Services Fund to be funded through certain adjustments to the conveyance tax; and 6. A draft bill to add preferences for an applicant's place of employment relative to the location of a housing project, status as a state or county employee, and status as a returning student, when considering applications for housing assistance under chapter 201H, Hawaii Revised Statutes; and xvii. Legislative priorities submitted by the Hawaii County Council: October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 8 a 1. Legislation related to increasing funds for emergency preparedness, evacuation routes, notification systems, and community -level emergency planning; Approved. 2. Legislation related to increasing accessibility and transparency regarding the use of public funds for state transportation projects and highway maintenance; Not included. 3. Legislation related to workforce development, particularly for green jobs, food systems specialists and county government positions; Approved. 4. Legislation related to water viability and usage, and watershed monitoring and stewardship; Approved. 5. Legislation related to responsible game management of wild ungulates; Approved. 6. Legislation related to promoting producer responsibility for solid waste; Approved. 7. Legislation related to wastewater infrastructure, cesspool conversion and related financing; and Approved. 8. Legislation related to prioritizing and increasing means and infrastructure for multi -modal transportation and funding for safe routes to school. Approved. October 30, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 9 Budget amendment request for members not part of HSAC EC, to also include NACo board members and WIR members, amend the budget line item to include WIR and NACo in the inter -island travel reimbursement line item budget. Approved. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Scheduling of the next Executive Committee meeting. Next meeting: Friday, November 21st at 12: 00pm. 8. ADJOURNMENT Hawaii State Association of Counties (HSAC) Counties of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii, and City & County of Honolulu Website: hawaiicounties.ore :Email: hsac&hawaiicounties.org MINUTES HSAC GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 212025 12:00 P.M., or soon thereafter Via Videoconference Zoom link Meeting ID: 830 2439 6719 Passcode:811965 City and County of Honolulu 530 South King Street, Room 202, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 County of Hawaii 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2409, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 County of Kauai 4396 Rice Street, Suite 209, LYhu`e, Kauai, Hawaii 96766 County of Maui 200 S. High Street, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii 96793 Attendees: President Heather Kimball, Vice President Tamara Paltin, Treasurer Matt Weyer, Secretary Bernard Carvalho, Nahelani Parsons, Arryl Kaneshiro, Jenn Kagiwada, Kamakana Watanabe, Letani Peltier, Megan Moniz, Shane Sinenci, Taylor Matoba 1. CALL TO ORDER 12: 03pm 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Approved 3. MINUTES None to be approved. 4. REPORTS a. Treasurer's Report November 21, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 2 3P �O CM Weyer: I stand on the written report. Motion approved to receive treasurer reports. b. County Reports: i. County of Hawaii CM Kimball: A bill passed in Hawaii County allowing hens in residential areas for food sustainability. ii. County of Kauai CMCarvalho: all bills were passed and discussed. iii. County of Maui CM Paltin: Stands on written report, thanking other counties for their support during a funeral and mentioning the selection process for a new council member. iv. City and County of Honolulu CM Weyer: See written report. c. NACo Report d. WIR Report e. Executive Director Report ED Parsons: Updates on HSAC planning for next year, internal processes for reimbursements, and potential new partnerships with NACO. • ED mentions proposals for the December meeting, including a student loan Public Service Loan Forgiveness platform and a legislative tracking system. • ED highlights the importance of reimbursements for the HSAC annual conference and offers to schedule meetings with legislators in Oahu. • Heather Kimball asks about the meeting with the speaker and next steps, with ED providing details on potential follow-up items. f. Legislative Report ED Parsons: Working on legislative package and legislative software to assist in legislative tracking. Wednesday, January 21st is opening day for the State Legislature. 5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS November 21, 2025, HSAC Executive Committee Meeting Minutes Page 1 3 a. Updates on planning for the HSAC 2026 Annual Conference and WIR 2026 Conference matters. Working on sponsorship 6. NEW BUSINESS a. Discussion on HSAC engagement in Green Fee Advisory Council and process. i. Discussion on drafting a letter to the governor's advisory team on potential uses of the green fee. b. Discussion on HSAC legislative strategy on immigration policy impacts on counties. i. Discussion on public outreach and collaboration with the governor's office on immigration issues. c. Discussion on county role on military lease renewals. i. The group discusses the potential for a resolution or letter from HSAC to express their interest in community benefits, such as wastewater development. 7. ANNOUNCEMENTS a. Scheduling of the next Executive Committee meeting. i. In person on Kauai, December 11, 2025. 8. ADJOURNMENT