Capitol briefs

Advertiser Staff

$838,136 agreed on for Lingle's office

House lawmakers yesterday gave final approval to $838,136 in emergency money for the governor's office, sending the legislation to Gov. Linda Lingle's desk for her signature.

Lingle initially sought an additional $1 million emergency appropriation to be added to her office budget, saying it was necessary to not only restore money for staff and accrued vacation payouts, but that $93,500 was needed to buy furniture for the newly completed governor's residence.

The House cut $491,000 from that amount when it sent the bill to the Senate earlier this month. The Senate then reached an agreement with the House and the governor's office to appropriate $838,136 through June.

The measure also appropriates $141,000 for the lieutenant governor's office.

House lawmakers yesterday agreed to the Senate's changes to the bill and unanimously approved the measure.

Fireworks permit fee off agenda

Legislation to change the fireworks permit fee will likely stall this session, with the House and Senate too far apart on the amount.

The House wants to reduce the cost of a fireworks permit from $25 to $10, but the Senate Transportation, Military Affairs and Government Operations Committee approved an increase to $50 with more limitations.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairwoman Colleen Hanabusa, D-21st (Nanakuli, Makaha), said she is not going to hear House Bill 899, saying the House and Senate versions of the bill are too far apart. Any compromise would probably be the current $25 fee, she said, adding she doesn't want to "waste the people's time."

"Where we are now is really going to be the midpoint," Hanabusa said.