HONOLULU, HI - A college education is a greater reality for local students across the state now that a program that provides financing to help them attend community colleges was signed into law on June 1st. The Hawai‘i Promise program was launched last fall as a pilot, allowing some 1,500 eligible students the opportunity and resources to attend community colleges here. On average, students received $1,200 each, which covered direct costs such as tuition and books. HB2501 (Act 14) appropriates $700,000 for fiscal year 2018-2019 to the Hawai‘i Promise fund, raising the total appropriation for the program to $2.5 million and makes it a permanent program. #HawaiiPromiseProgram #HB2501 #act14 #honolulucommunitycollege #JustinWoodson #StanleyChang #DanielHolt #DonnaMercadoKim

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – After 19 years of serving in the Hawai‘i State Legislature, Senator Will Espero will be retiring from office effective May 31, 2018. Since 2002, Senator Espero has represented the 19th Senate District, which encompasses ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa By Gentry, Iroquois Point, and a portion of ‘Ewa Villages. During the 29th Legislature, Senator Espero served as the Senate Majority Floor Leader and the chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. He was also the vice-chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy and a member of the Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health Committee, Education Committee, and Higher Education Committee. He also served on the Special Action Team on Affordable Housing, a Veteran’s Homeless Working Group, the Oahu Metropolitan Planning Organization, Hawai‘i Reef & Ocean Coalition, and the Medical Marijuana Legislative Oversight Working Group. Prior to working in the Legislature, he worked in the finance industry, property management, the administration of Frank Fasi, the Coalition for a Drug-Free Hawai‘i, and with a local home developer. In December of 1999, Espero was appointed to the Hawai‘i House of Representatives by Governor Ben Cayetano. “It has been an honor and privilege to serve my district and the state in the Hawai‘i Legislature. I am humbled by the support and encouragement I have received over the years,” said Senator Espero. # # # #hawaiisenate #williamespero #willespero #ewabeach #bencayetano #frankfasi

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Senate Bill 270, which prohibits therapists from offering sexual orientation change efforts or "conversion therapy" to patients under the age of 18, was signed into law today. The ban on sexual orientation change efforts includes the practice of attempting to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. The bill applies to licensed professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. The measure also establishes a temporary sexual orientation counseling task force within the state Department of Health to address the concerns of minors who seek counseling on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, and related behavior. SB270 is now Act 13 and takes effect on July 1, 2018. #sb270 #sexualorientation #departmentofhealth #Act13 #donnamercadokim #StanleyChang #karlrhoads #jilltokuda

WHO: Sen. Rosalyn Baker, Rep. Angus McKelvey, Hawai‘i Commission on Water Resource Management (CWRM), USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCA) WHAT: Informational Meeting on Interim Instream Flow Standards for West Maui Streams and Lahaina Flood Control Project WHEN: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. WHERE: Lahaina Intermediate School Cafeteria 871 Lahainaluna Road Lahaina residents are invited to an informational meeting being hosted by Senator Rosalyn Baker (S Dist. 6 - South and West Maui) and Representative Angus McKelvey (H Dist. 10 - West Maui) on June 6, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Lahaina Intermediate School Cafeteria to provide the community the latest information on important water projects impacting the Lahaina area. Department of Land and Natural Resources Deputy Director Jeff Pearson will share details and answer questions on the selection and implementation process for the Interim Instream Flow Standard for West Maui Streams which was based on seven years of study by the USGS and CWRM staff, with input from cultural practitioners. The community will also be updated on the current status of the Lahaina Flood Control project. Sherman White, Program Manager with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Emergency Watershed Protection Program will be presenting the history and funding for the project, as well as the plans for completion. He will be available to answer questions and listen to concerns from residents. For more information on the CWRM decision on Instream uses for West Maui Streams: http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/category/news/cwrm/ For more information, or to request an ASL interpreter or other auxiliary aid support, please contact the office of Sen. Baker at (808) 586-6070 at least 24 hours prior to the meeting so that arrangements can be made. # # # #SenatorBaker #Rozbaker #angusmckelvey #floodcontrol #lahaina #interiminstreamflowstandard #lahainafloodcontrolproject #Mauistreams #USDA

Hawai‘i State Senators joined hundreds of mourners at the State Capitol today to pay their final respects to U.S. Senator Daniel Akaka. Akaka, who died April 6 at age 93, was the first Native Hawaiian to serve in the U.S. Senate. His humble personality earned him the nickname, the “Ambassador of Aloha.” The Senator’s flag-draped casket was carried into the Capitol Rotunda at 10 a.m. by Hawai‘i National Guard members and was escorted by Governor David Ige, First Lady Dawn Amano-Ige, Senate President Ron Kouchi, House Speaker Scott Saiki, and Native Hawaiian organizations including Ke One O Kākuhihewa, O‘ahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs. Legislators, along with other state officials, lined the red carpet. The Royal Hawaiian Band led the day-long program of music with Akaka’s favorite song, “Hawaiian Lullaby.” An impressive line-up of local musicians has been scheduled to play throughout the day. An evening service attended by Legislators, former Governors, and other dignitaries gathered to bid a final farewell to the revered statesman who served almost 22 years in the U.S. Senate and prior to that, more than 13 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. Akaka will lay in state at the Capitol building for 24 hours before his casket will be taken to Kawaiahao Church for a celebration of life. On May 21, a private burial will be held for Akaka at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl. #danielakaka #senatorakaka #KeOneOKākuhihewa #hAWAIIsENATE #royalhawaiianband #hawaiianlullaby #governorwaihee #governorabercrombie #governorcayetano

BY RACHEL NUSSBAUM Sunscreen is the best it's ever been. It's lightweight, fast-absorbing, beautifully fragranced, and at long last a pleasure to use. There's just one problem: Despite 2014's Sunscreen Innovation Act, the FDA hasn't OK'd any new sunscreen ingredients in 10 years. And now researchers are finding evidence that some commonly used chemicals pose a huge threat to our marine environments and may have unintended consequences on human health. This month Hawaii became the first place in the U.S. to turn these findings into something concrete, a first-of-its-kind legislation to outlaw the sale of sunscreens that contain the ingredients oxybenzone and octinoxate starting in 2021. For context, those two actives are in more than 3,500 sunscreens on the market. Talking to scientists and lawmakers about these two chemicals, it becomes clear that this may be a somewhat dire situation for the environment. Some background on sunscreen: It's technically a drug, so the FDA has full control over which ingredients we get to use. That'd be fine, except of the 17 sunscreen ingredients on the market, almost all of them were approved back in the seventies. And according to Craig Downs, Ph.D. and executive director of the Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, a nonprofit dedicated to the conservation of natural habitats, almost no toxicity testing was done back then, and there certainly weren't the stringent standards in place that there are today. So oxybenzone and octinoxate, among other chemicals, have been grandfathered in since then. That doesn't sound good, but it wouldn't necessarily be cause for concern. Yet the legislation is happening now because over the past two years numerous studies have found evidence that these two chemicals (but especially oxybenzone) may be doing harm to marine life and possibly people. They're what researchers call "endocrine disruptors." So when we slather on sunscreen, the chemicals can then make their way into our bloodstream. There, according to recent studies, they may mess with our hormones in various ways. Downs says that several studies have found that oxybenzone in particular can significantly decrease testosterone levels. Hawaiian state Senator Mike Gabbard (D), who introduced the bill, along with five other Democratic state senators, recounts a laundry list of evidence-supported consequences. In the ocean it causes deformed coral larvae; in people he says the chemicals may be associated with breast cancer becoming more aggressive, polluted breast milk, deformities in newborns, women's uterine diseases, threatened male sexual health, and damaged DNA. David Andrews, Ph.D. and a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, says that in the water off the beaches of Hawaii, where tourists flock and sunscreen flows, the coral reefs are unable to recover from bleaching events, which are like a hit to the reefs' ecosystem. And oxybenzone is everywhere: Downs describes the chemicals as similar to a virus, with oxybenzone showing up everywhere from the drinking water in Honolulu, to Alaska, to inside the fish we eat. And according to a 2008 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it's found in the blood of 97 percent of Americans. This is big news, and it's been a long time coming. "It really points to what’s become a failure of both the sunscreen industry and the FDA to bring new, safer, and more effective ingredients to the market," Andrews says. While new sunscreen formulas have been available for over a decade in other countries, Andrews says that the FDA has left the public with a catch-22. Even outside of oxybenzone and octinoxate, Downs says there's no firm data to prove whether or not other sunscreen ingredients, like avobenzone, are safe. “If the toxicity requirements by the FDA were applied now to the 17 chemicals, only nonnanosized zinc oxide and nonnanosized titanium dioxide would be left standing,” Downs says. Knowing how much sunscreen people now expose themselves to, the FDA needs detailed safety information to approve new formulas, but because there's nothing to stop companies from doing so, Downs says that most have continued to use the same old ingredients, in the same old ways. On the plus side, the FDA has recently initiated a study testing absorption of ingredients in sunscreens currently on the U.S. market. A spokesperson told Glamour that the study will “measure and evaluate the levels of active ingredients found in the blood of human subjects after exposure when applied under maximal use conditions.” For now, Andrew Alexis, M.D., the chair of dermatology at Mount Sinai hospital in New York City, warns against jumping to conclusions. While studies using extremely high doses of oxybenzone show some hormonal side effects, Alexis says we don’t typically encounter those levels in the everyday world. To put the doses into perspective, he explains that using a sunscreen containing 6 percent oxybenzone, it would take 277 years of daily application to reach exposure comparable to what the rats in the studies get. So while oxybenzone can be detected in the blood and urine of sunscreen users and the population at large, Alexis says that doesn’t necessarily mean oxybenzone is causing negative, systemic health effects. Speaking to the ban, the Personal Care Products Council, which represents the global cosmetic and personal care products industry, released a statement acknowledging the importance of combating coral reef degradation, but arguing that fighting the prevalence of skin cancer is as important. And with the sunscreen ban waiting for Hawaii's governor to sign it into law, enforced change is at best in the distant future. According to lawmakers, the bill will only take effect in 2021, so at least legally nothing has to happen until then—and even after 2021, there will be no legal way to keep sunscreens with the chemicals from coming into Hawaii. Nicole Lowen, vice chair of Hawaii's House Committee on Energy and Environment, says that's fine. While they're giving the sunscreen industry the next few years to come up with formulas that comply (and Gabbard says tons of sunscreens out there already do), a major aim of the legislation was raising public awareness about these toxic chemicals, and sending a message to companies and the FDA that, yes, change is something people care about, and we want it now. In that respect, women in Hawaii agree that the bill is making them think twice about their sunscreen. Since the legislation came into the spotlight, Hawaii resident Emma Wo says that she’s gone through her medicine cabinet and tossed the sunscreens with controversial ingredients. Longtime Oahu resident Kathy Croman says she used to not be choosy about the sunscreen she used, but “when you grow up here and see the actual damage it’s causing, you become more aware.” It’s likewise struck Oahu newcomer Kait Hanson: “Before I moved to Hawaii, I used sunscreens with [oxybenzone and octinoxate] a lot. That was mostly due to being misinformed, unaware or trusting the labels of products.” After the conversation started around the ingredients, she says she switched to reef-safe sunscreens like Stream2Sea and Badger. (Stream2Sea relies on nonnanosized titanium dioxide, and Badger on nonnanosized zinc oxide. Both are confirmed eco-friendly ingredients.) Marine conservationist Lauren Kitayama seconds it: Once you know the effect of these ingredients, you steer clear. “Most of our cosmetics do end up in the ocean, and they wreak havoc. If making small changes in my daily routine can protect the oceans and animals in them, I do what I can,” she says. To that end, Wo’s not waiting for 2021. “Even before the sunscreen ban goes into full effect, I think it's a matter of social responsibility. One of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou applies here: ‘Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better,’” Wo says. According to Lowen, it’s going to take more of the same attitude to fuel change. "We have to create a consumer demand for safer products. We’re obviously facing many environmental crises with climate change, so there's a lot coming that we’re going to have to deal with. And it’s all true—all those things weigh in," Lowen says. "But my job’s not to get elected, be in office and say, 'We give up. There's no point doing anything, it’s too late.' We’ve got to try our best.'" #hawaiisenate #mikegabbard #laurenkitayama #sunscreen #personalcareproducs #oxybenzone #octinoxate

The Hawaii State Judiciary’s appropriations bill, which includes $5.8 million to purchase equipment and furniture for the new Kona courthouse, passed final reading in the Senate and House of Representatives. The bill has been sent to Gov. David Ige for his review and consideration. “On behalf of the Hawaii State Judiciary, I want to express my deep appreciation to the Hawaii State Legislature for approving the funding needed to outfit the new courthouse in Kona with equipment and furniture,” said Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald. “We are pleased to be able to give the West Hawaii community a full-service facility where they can take care of all court-related matters in a centralized, convenient, and secure environment.” The facility is scheduled to open in late summer 2019. The legislature previously approved a total of $90 million for construction costs in the 2014 and 2015 sessions. Groundbreaking for the project was in October 2016. “The Judiciary is extremely grateful to all of the Hawaii Island legislators, in particular Rep. Nicole Lowen and Sen. Josh Green, as well as the leadership of Senators Donovan Dela Cruz, Gil Keith-Agaran, and Brian Taniguchi, and Senate President Ron Kouchi, and Representatives Sylvia Luke, Kyle Yamashita, Scott Nishimoto, and Speaker Scott Saiki,” said Chief Justice Recktenwald. “I also want to share my aloha with the West Hawaii Bar Association, the Hawaii County Bar Association, and the Hawaii State Bar Association for their ongoing support,” Chief Justice Recktenwald said. “Retired Judge Ron Ibarra, West Hawaii Bar President Donna Payesko, and HSBA Representative from Kona Carol Kitaoka have been critical supporters as well.” “After years of conducting court business out of three separate locations, we are gratified that we will be better able to better serve the people of the west side by giving them the modern court facility they deserve,” said Third Circuit Chief Judge Greg Nakamura. “The Kona community is looking forward to having a new courthouse, which will provide safety, efficiency and convenience that the existing three makeshift facilities cannot,” said Rep. Nicole Lowen. “Securing this funding was critical to ensuring the timely completion and opening of the Courthouse.” “It was my honor to work hand-in-hand with the Chief Justice and the Judiciary to complete funding for this important project for the people of Kona,” said Sen. Josh Green. “This has been a priority for West Hawaii for a long time.” "The West Hawaii Bar Association greatly appreciates the support of the legislature, especially our Big Island Caucus, in making this needed FF&E funding a reality,” said Donna Payesko, president of the West Hawaii Bar Association. “The appropriation will ensure that the new courthouse will be fully furnished and ready to open next year. The Kona Judiciary Complex will be a great asset to the West Hawaii Community and the West Hawaii Bar Association looks forward to its opening." The courthouse will be a three-story facility with five courtrooms, a law library and self-help center open to the community, conference rooms, holding cells, witness rooms, attorney interview rooms, and a grand jury meeting room. There will also be more than 250 parking stalls for the public. # # # #hawaiisenate #Hawaiistatejudiciary #KonaCourthouse #CarolKitaoka #donnapayesko #ronibarra #westhawaiibar #SenatorGreen #JoshGreen #DonovanDelaCruz #SenatorDelaCruz #SenatorKeithAgaran #GilKeithAgaran #BrianTaniguchi #SenatorBrianTaniguchi #SenatePresidentRonKouchi #RonKouchi #Senatorkouchi #ChiefJusticeRectenwald

Hawaiʻi leads nation in committing to zero emissions clean energy Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Community, business, and government leaders gathered today to announce the passage of House Bill 2182, a new law making Hawai‘i the first state to commit to a zero emissions clean economy and statewide carbon neutrality by 2045, and House Bill 1986, which directs the establishment of a carbon credit program to bring investment in carbon offsets to Hawaiʻi businesses and agriculture. While the federal government has deferred action on renewable energy and climate change, Hawai‘i continues to boldly lead the country and set a new precedent with the passage of HB 2182. This first-in-the-nation law will make Hawai‘i the first state committing to a zero emissions clean economy. Together with HB 1986, the bills will accelerate outside investment in the State's renewable energy and clean transportation sectors, and catalyze new investment in local agriculture as other jurisdictions begin to invest carbon credit dollars in Hawai‘i to offset their own carbon emissions. The islands already face costly impacts from climate change, with expected losses of $19 billion in coastal infrastructure to sea level rise in coming decades so taking this next step is important for the growth of our economy today and important to the future for the next generation. HB 2182 passed in a bipartisan 76-0 vote and HB 1986 passed 75-0 with one member excused at the close of the legislative session last week. Both measures now head to Governor David Ige for consideration. "Fighting climate change and building a zero emissions clean economy over the next two decades means catalyzing huge opportunities for new investment, jobs and growth in our economy today," said State Representative Chris Lee (Kailua, Waimānalo), author of HB 2182 and Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection. "This is the biggest step forward on climate change any state has yet taken, but we know we can do this and it's going to benefit everyone." “HB 2182 meshes nicely with our existing 100 percent renewable energy portfolio standards law that’s already on the books. By setting a target that we sequester more carbon and greenhouse gases than we produce by 2045, we’re creating economic opportunities and also ensuring that we do our part to fight the impacts of climate change,” said Senator Mike Gabbard (Kapolei, Makakilo, and portions of ‘Ewa, Kalaeloa, Waipahū), Chairman of the Agriculture and Environment Committee. “The intent of HB 1986 is to take the lead in the nation on the partnership between environment and business. If this measure becomes law, our state will lead the way in sustainability,” said State Representative Ryan I. Yamane (Mililani, Waipio Gentry, Waikele), author of HB 1986 and Chairman of the House Water and Land Committee. “Moving forward on this bill will help catalyze additional investment in local businesses while helping us reach our 100% renewable energy by 2045 goal and achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability,” said Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i President and CEO Sherry Menor McNamara. "This is an unprecedented revenue opportunity especially for farmers who want to get creative. They can have new crop lines, and have significant capital invested into their businesses, including opportunities to scale up their own organizations and be more sustainable financially and ecologically while they replenish and regenerate the soil," said James McKay of the Hawai‘i Farmers Union United. "Hawaiʻi is mastering its own destiny for the benefit of future generations by doubling down on its commitment to a truly sustainable, clean energy economy that minimizes the financial losses to residents, protects taxpayer investments in critical infrastructure, and rewards environmental stewardship. Passage of HB 2182 ensures that protecting Hawaiʻi’s environment also promotes Hawaiʻi’s economy and protects Hawaiʻi’s taxpayers," said Mari Townsend, Director Sierra Club of Hawai‘i. "Our utilities are already on track to achieve 100 percent renewable electricity by 2040 at a savings of nearly $6 billion over status quo fossil fuels," said Rep. Lee. "Our transportation sector is quickly changing with the proliferation of electric vehicles that can lower costs for commuters. This bill, directing statewide carbon neutrality by 2045, ties all our efforts together while catalyzing new investment and clean jobs in our economy." Photo Caption: State Representative Chris Lee discusses Hawai'i's effort to fight climate change and building a zero emissions clean economy over the next two decades during a press conference at Ala Moana Beach Park today. With him are Representative Ryan I. Yamane (directly behind), Senator Mike Gabbard (with lei) and other supporters. Photo by Hawai'i House of Representatives Majority Democrats ### #chrislee #mikegabbard #HB2182 #zeroemissions #carbonneutral #2045 #senatorgabbard

SENATOR INOUYE SELECTED TO JOIN NCSL SMART COMMUNITIES FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Senator Lorraine R. Inouye was selected as the only Hawai‘i legislator to participate in a new, invitation-only partnership project on smart communities. The Smart Communities Foundation Partnership is a public-private partnership, organized through the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) Foundation for State Legislatures. It brings together legislators, legislative staff and the private sector to explore the policies and programs that help create smart communities, and the role that states should play in coordinating and encouraging these efforts. “I am honored and excited to be a part of this progressive thinking partnership and to be able to collaborate with lawmakers from other states on ways to improve the quality of life for our residents,” said Senator Inouye (Dist. 4 - Hilo, Hamakua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikoloa, Kona), chair of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Energy. “While our communities continue to grow and our resources are shrinking, we need to be looking at ways to use advances in transportation, energy, and information technologies to enhance our quality of life, sustainability and resilience.” The Smart Communities Foundation Partnership is a 1.5-year agreement, consisting of a steering committee of knowledgeable legislators and staff who will provide input and guidance on ways to improve the quality of life, economic opportunity and security for those who live in cities and surrounding areas. As a member of the Steering Committee, Senator Inouye will be attending the first meeting of the Smart Communities Foundation Partnership next week in Denver, Colorado. For more information on the Smart Communities Foundation Partnership: http://www.ncsl.org/aboutus/ncsl-foundation-for-state-legislatures/smart-communities-public-private-partnership.aspx # # # #hawaiisenate #senatorinouye #LorraineInouye #hilo #hamakua #kohala #waimea #waikoloa #kona

MILILANI SENATORS ANNOUNCE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FUNDING RELEASE Mililani Middle School receives $21.375 Million for new classrooms HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Senators Michelle N. Kidani and Donovan M. Dela Cruz are pleased to announce that the Governor recently released $21.375 million to fund the construction of a new classroom building at Mililani Middle School. Mililani Middle is 1 of 3 schools remaining on a multi-track calendar. The multi-track calendar was created as a way to optimize facility use at overcrowded campuses. While this concept may manage large student populations, it has been challenging for faculty, parents, and students. In addition, students on multi-track calendars do not receive equitable school hours. Since learning about the issue, the Legislature was proactive in providing support. Working with the Department of Education and school faculty, it was discovered that the middle school needed a minimum of 15 additional classrooms to transition to a single track calendar. To provide an immediate solution, the Legislature appropriated $23 million to design and construct classrooms at the middle school. “Many thanks to Mayor Caldwell and the City Parks Department for their help and partnership with us. Also kudos to Mililani Middle School Principal Elynne Chung who worked with us, the City, MMS staff and families to formulate a workable transition plan,” said Senator Michelle Kidani (Dist. 18 - Mililani Town, portion of Waipi‘o Gentry, Waikele, Village Park, Royal Kunia), Chair of the Senate Committee on Education. “The Legislature was quick to support the new building and property acquisition to make the plan a reality.” Given the lack of adequate space on the current campus, the Department of Education will acquire less than one acre of the Mililani Mauka Community Park. The City & County of Honolulu is actively working with the Department of Education on the expansion of the middle school. Park users will also have weekend access to the school's new parking lot. “The Mililani community will greatly benefit from this transition,” added Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (Dist. 22 - Mililani Mauka, Waipi‘o Acres, Wheeler, Wahiawa, Whitmore Village, portion of Poamoho), Chair of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. “Families with more than one child can now plan for one school calendar and park users will have additional parking on the weekends.” # # # #senatorkidani #MichelleKidani #DonovanDelaCruz #SenatorDelaCruz #Mililani #MililaniMiddleSchool #CapitolImprovementProjet #DepartmentofEducation #ElynneChung #hawaiisenate #hawaiilegislature

Bills protecting coral reefs, addressing homelessness, housing pass final reading in the Senate HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Members of the Hawai‘i State Senate today passed several bills on final reading that position the Legislature to be a national leader in environment and health. In passing Senate Bill 2571 SD2 HD2 CD1, Hawai‘i is the first state in the nation to ban the sale of all sunscreens that contain oxybenzone and octinoxate, chemicals that scientific research has found to be toxic to coral. The bill delays the effective date of the ban until January 1, 2021 to allow for the reformulation of sunscreen to prevent further increase of skin cancer in Hawai‘i. This measure is a step towards preserving the state’s marine ecosystem which is both an important cultural foundation and an economic asset. Senate Bill 3095 SD1 HD1 CD1 restricts pesticide use within 100 feet of a school during instructional hours and it bans the pesticide chlorpyrifos. Hawai‘i is the first state in the nation to prohibit the use of pesticides containing chlorpyrifos. The measure protects the State’s children, elderly, and vulnerable individuals from the unintended impacts of large-scale agricultural pesticide use. These, along with the other important measures that passed final reading this Legislative Session, align with the Senate Legislative Program that was consigned to at the beginning of the 2018 Legislative Session. The program is made up of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals that provide a framework for improving the quality of life for all people of Hawai‘i. “What we’ve been able to accomplish this Session is a template for the planet. The world is watching how Hawai‘i is taking the lead in ensuring the protection and sustainability of our people, communities and natural resources while remaining economically prosperous on a global scale,” said Senate Majority Leader J. Kalani English (Dist. 7 - Hana, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i, Kaho‘olawe). “The Senate worked tirelessly to introduce and pass measures that would improve the quality of life for our people and the world.” The Senate passed a number of significant measures that address other priorities in the Senate Legislative Program, including Ending Poverty, Quality Education, Gender Equality, and Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. In addressing homelessness and affordable housing, the State Budget, HB1900 HD1 SD1 CD1, provides $15 million to fund homeless programs and services such as Housing First, Rapid Re-Housing, and Family Assessment Centers. HB2748 HD2 SD2 CD1 provides an unprecedented total of $200 million into the Rental Housing Trust Fund (RHTF), to generate approximately 1,600 affordable rental housing units for families at or below 80 percent AMI; appropriates $10 million into the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund (DURF) for interim construction financing of affordable housing project; and appropriates $50,000 to prepare an assessment of housing needs for persons with low or no income. Additionally, HB2748 expands the general excise tax exemption for construction of 24,000 affordable rental units for families at or below 140 percent AMI. The exemption will increase from $7 million (enacted in 2017) to $30 million per year and will be extended from 2022 to 2030. This exemption is valued at $360 million over 12 years. SB2401 SD2 HD1 CD1 and SB2027 SD2 HD1 CD1 provide a total of $34.7 million to fund Ohana Zones and support medical services for the homeless statewide. SB2351 SD1 HD1 CD1 addresses gender discrimination by prohibiting employers from requesting or considering a job applicant’s wage or salary history as part of an employment application process or compensation offer. SB2990 SD2 HD1 CD1 establishes the Paid Family Leave Implementation Board to assist the Department of Human Services in establishing paid family leave for all workers in the State. HB1489 HD1 SD2 CD1 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including gender identity or expression, or sexual orientation, in any state educational program or activity, or in any educational program or activity that receives state financial assistance. SB2046 SD1 HD1 prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, transfer, and possession of bump fire stocks, multi-burst trigger activators, and trigger cranks. HB2071 HD2 SD2 CD1 establishes a statewide standards board to recommend certification and de-certification requirements for state and county law enforcement officers who carry firearms and badges and have arrest authority. Voters will decide in November how to support public education with SB2922 SD1 HD1 which proposes amendments to the Constitution of the State of Hawai‘i to authorize the Legislature to establish, as provided by law, a surcharge on investment real property to support public education. Hawai‘i also joined six other states to allow a mentally capable, terminally ill adult with six months or less to live, the freedom to make their own end-of-life decisions, with the earlier passage of HB2739, that was signed into law (Act 002) on April 5, 2018. In an effort to provide immediate funding for those impacted by the recent flooding, SB192 SD1 HD1 CD1 provides $125 million in aid for the communities on Kaua‘i, East O‘ahu and Waimānalo. With the exception of SB2922 and HB2739, these bills are now enrolled to the Governor for his approval or veto. A complete list of the bills that passed in final reading is available at www.capitol.hawaii.gov. To view the 2018 Senate Legislative Program, visit www.hawaiisenatemajority.com. # # # #hawaiisenate #senatelegislativeprogram #dwellingunitrevolvingfund #paidfamilyleaveimplementationboard

Including $34.7 million for ‘Ohana Zones, medical services, and a coordinated statewide initiative Taking the lead on solving Hawai‘i's homeless crisis, the conference committee on Housing today passed SB 2401 SD2 HD1 CD1 and SB 2027 SD2 HD1 CD1 totaling $34.7 million to fund ‘Ohana Zones and support long overdue medical services for homeless populations statewide. The conference committee passed: SB 2401 SD2 HD1 CD1: $30 million for ‘Ohana Zones on three Oahu sites, and one each on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Public lands will be selected by the Governor for the zones. $1 million for an Emergency Department Assessment pilot program. $1 million for a medical respite pilot program. $800,000 for a new family assessment center. $400,000 for two new Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs on Maui and Hawai‘i Island. SB 2027 SD2 HD1 CD1: 1.5 million for a Coordinated Statewide Homeless Initiative. Rep. Della Au Belatti (Makiki, Tantalus, Papakōlea, McCully, Pāwa‘a, Mānoa) said lawmakers this session decided to take the lead on finding homeless solutions and ‘Ohana Zones are an important part of that concept. "The $30 million for ‘Ohana Zones is a lump sum that we hope to partner with the private sector using Kahauiki Village as a model," said House Majority Leader Belatti. "This amount is our estimate of what the infrastructure and support services will cost in multiple sites across the state. The idea here is to be very flexible. What might work on O‘ahu might not be the best plan for one of the neighbor islands." Rep. Tom Brower (Waikīkī, Ala Moana) said the ‘Ohana Zones idea has been around for many years but will now become a reality. "Ten years ago we started looking into safe zones for our homeless population," said Brower, Chair of the House Housing Committee. "Many were reluctant to go into shelters or even permanent housing. This will provide a better option for many homeless people." “The measures we passed appropriate millions of dollars to help eliminate the homeless problem and build affordable rentals," said Senator Will Espero (‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. "The Governor now has all the resources and tools necessary to provide housing and to assist the many homeless advocates and organizations with their programs and services that will help families and individuals rebuild their lives. This year’s funding is just the beginning of the Legislature’s commitment to end homeless,” Representative John M. Mizuno (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Lower Kalihi) said he is proud of the work lawmakers have done this session to support homeless initiatives. "This has been the most comprehensive year ever in funding homeless initiatives," said Mizuno, Chair Health & Human Services Committee. "We are focused on addressing our homeless crisis rather than funding more homeless sweeps. We have focused our policies to provide our people in need with stability, a place to heal, and the ability to become self-sufficient." “Thousands of homeless who are struggling on our streets will see their lives change greatly for the better through this bill. The public will also see a difference when they have their parks back, their sidewalks clear, and see much less suffering throughout our communities,” said Senator Josh Green (Kona, Ka‘u), Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services. The total investment made by the Legislature to solve Hawai‘i's growing homeless crisis this session is about $50 million, an increase over the Governor's budget request. Lawmakers last week provided $15 million to fund existing homeless service programs, $3 million more than requested by the Governor. The funds are in a lump sum rather than restricted to a specific program to allow the State Homeless Coordinator to have the ability take decisive action and use the funds where they are most needed. They also appropriated $1 million for matching funds to the Hawaii Tourism Authority for homeless related projects. The nonprofit Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association will distribute the money for programs in resort areas. The bills now move to a final vote in both Houses. ### #Legislature #homelessness #347Million #Ohanazones #SB2401 #SB2401SB2027 #sb2027 #joshgreen #williamespero #willespero #hawaiisenate #hawaiihomeless #homelessfunding