LEGISLATURE 2003 STATUS REPORT
Miscellaneous

Here are many of the major bills under consideration at the Legislature. Listing which bills are passing and which are failing halfway through the legislative session is risky.

Failing bills can be revived, living bills can be rewritten, and key lawmakers can change their minds.

This listing of bills is an effort to show readers where issues appear to be headed. Public participation and lobbying can change the outcome of any issue listed here.

Third-party liability
(SB 1234 SD2)

Gives victims injured by intoxicated minors the right to collect compensation from adults who reasonably should have known the minors were drinking alcohol at their home.

Public land liability
(HB 1214 HD2, SB 1418 SD2)

Establishes a new law to limit liability on the state and counties from recreational activities occurring on public lands, including parks and trails. Provides that a sign warning of dangerous natural conditions is presumed to be adequate warning.

Segways
(SB 1051)

Would make Segway scooters legal to operate on sidewalks and bike paths. Sets their maximum speed at 8 mph and limits their use to people 16 and older.

Hawaiian historic sites
(SB 1554 SD1)

Requires the landowner of a potential native Hawaiian historical site on private property to obtain prior approval of the Department of Land and Natural Resources before conducting certain activities on the land.

Marriage license fee
(SB 661 SD1)

Raises the marriage license fee to generate money for a sexual assault prevention special fund.

Tax appeals
(SB 632 SD2)

Repeals the requirement that assessed taxes must be paid prior to appealing to the tax appeal court.

Female inmate parity
(SB 877 SD2)

Requires that the range and quality of programming offered to women inmates be substantially equivalent to the range and quality of programs offered to male inmates. Requires Office of Youth Services to develop and implement gender-responsive community-based programs for adjudicated females.

Art displays
(SB 376 SD2)

Permits resident artists to display and sell their work in state offices. Provides for the works of art special fund to be used to purchase books, works of literacy art, and other library resources for the state public library system.

Korean War Museum
(HB 1479 HD1)

Makes an appropriation for the establishment of a National Korean War Museum in Hawai'i.

Matchmaking organizations
(HB 135 HD1)

Allows persons living abroad who use for-profit matchmaking services to access criminal conviction and marital history information about prospective spouses residing in the United States.

College savings tax credit
(HB 339 HD2)

Establishes a college savings program tax credit.

Animal quarantine

Establishes procedures and requirements for the entry of dogs, cats, and other carnivores into the state without the need for quarantine.

New motor vehicles

Imposes a new motor vehicle tax for all vehicles weighing more than 4,000 pounds and having a purchase price of more than $35,000. Dedicates all revenue generated to the natural area reserve fund.

Fireworks

Gives the counties authority to develop their own fireworks code.

Pay differential

Authorizes pay differential for special education teachers, teachers of subjects for which there are shortages, and teachers in schools that have had difficulty recruiting and retaining teachers.