New initiatives, lasting traditions

2009 Hawai`i Senate Majority Package

The Senate Majority Caucus announces the Majority Package for the 2009 Legislative Session! Legislators who have worked long and hard to put this package together met with the media this afternoon to discuss the seventeen initiatives. The priorities of the Senate Majority Caucus reflect a focus on core values that will guide our consideration of new initiatives for Hawai`i’s future:

The Power of Ohana – Caring for those in need

The Social Safety Net

We acknowledge our community’s commitment to our residents by providing a “safety net” of services to those in need. Whether through health services, unemployment benefits, or aid to those threatened by poverty, our goal must remain maintaining meaningful supports for those with the greatest need.

SB 1673   Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation restructuring

SB1673 supports the Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC), the fourth-largest public health system in the nation, in exploring a transition to a corporate structure. It allows the HHSC to carefully evaluate the change, and ensure that the HHSC remains intact in order to provide central support services to the regional systems and facilities seeking to remain a part of this valuable state agency.

SB 1666   Allocation of TANF expenditures

In these difficult economic times, Hawai‘i’s expenditure of temporary assistance for needy family funds must not only account for the economic slowdown, but maintain reserves in anticipation of a continued financial slump. SB1666 details how the legislature will spend TANF funds, emphasizing direct payments to families, employment training, teenage pregnancy prevention, and keeping families intact. The bill also maintains an adequate reserve of TANF funds to provide for the continued provision of necessary support programs.

SB 1679   Emergency and Budget Reserve Fund

In 1999, the legislature established the emergency and budget reserve fund as a temporary supplemental source of funding for the State of Hawai‘i in times of emergency, economic downturn, or unforeseen reduction in revenues. SB1679 appropriates moneys from the emergency budget and reserve fund to maintain levels of programs for education, human services, and health.

SB 1668   Food Stamp eligibility

Hawai‘i loses millions of dollars in federal funding each year due to its 72% participation rate among eligible households in the supplemental nutrition assistance program, formerly known as the Food Stamps program. A higher rate of participation would draw millions of dollars in addition federal dollars into the Hawai‘i economy. The State’s stringent eligibility requirements, which are more restrictive than required by federal law, and lengthy application process contribute to the low participation among Hawai‘i households.

SB1668 eases Hawai‘i’s eligibility requirements and establishes an outreach program to increase participation among eligible households. In addition to providing needed services to Hawai‘i families, increased participation will provide a multiplier effect: The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that for every $5 spent through the supplemental nutrition assistance program, there is a $9.20 benefit to the community.

SB 1676   Telehealth

Since 1999, the legislature has supported the use and expansion of telehealth services and technology in Hawai‘i. With internet technology revolutionizing the way consumers acquire goods and services today, it was only a matter of time before this type of technology was applied to health care. Hawai‘i is poised to be the first state in the nation to provide statewide consumer access to local physicians via the internet and telephone.

SB1676 makes amendments to Hawai‘i law to enhance and support an expansion of new technology in the use of telemedicine, and clarify that telehealth is within the scope of a physician’s practice.

SB 1664   Partial Unemployment

Hawai‘i’s current economic slowdown has led to an alarming increase in unemployment as local businesses find themselves unable to maintain their employee rolls at former levels. SB1664 establishes a program allowing employers to continue employing workers with reduced hours, while permitting those facing decreases in earnings with a means of making up for lost income. The bill adds definitions relating to partial unemployment and sets out claimants’ eligibility, claims filing, and registration requirements, and employers’ reporting requirements for partial unemployment.

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