Posted on: Tuesday, June 5, 2001
Panels quickly approve 3 bills
By Lynda Arakawa
Advertiser Capitol Bureau
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| Senate President Robert Bunda, left, yesterday conferred with Senate Chief Clerk Paul Kawaguchi and staff members before the special session officially began.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser |
The Senate Ways and Means and the House Finance committees yesterday breezed through hearings for three bills that will replace measures flawed by procedural errors.
On opening day of a five-day special session, the committees approved appropriations bills for the state Judiciary and Office of Hawaiian Affairs as well as a related bond authorization bill. The original $215 million two-year Judiciary budget bill and the $14 million, two-year OHA budget measure were flawed because the House clerk's office mistakenly sent them to the governor before the Senate could approve them. The bond authorization bill needed to be updated because it contained references to the Judiciary appropriations bill.
Gov. Ben Cayetano and Senate President Robert Bunda, D-22nd (Wahiawa, Waialua, Sunset Beach), have said they want the Legislature to limit the special session agenda to those three bills and two appointments that require the Senate's consideration.
But just minutes before the session began yesterday, Senate Republicans introduced a fourth bill for lawmakers to consider, although Bunda said it is "unlikely" that it will pass.
The measure would exempt payments to a professional employment organization on behalf of employees hired by a client company from the general excise tax. A similar bill died this session in conference committee. Sen. Sam Slom, R-8th (Wai'alae Iki, Hawai'i Kai) said the measure would greatly help small businesses, although he acknowledged that the Senate leadership wants to limit the agenda to the three bills.
Today, the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Wayne Kimura, whom Cayetano appointed comptroller of the Department of Accounting and General Services. The Senate Water, Land, Energy and Environment Committee will hold a confirmation hearing for Tim Johns, who was appointed board member of Land and Natural Resources.
