LEGISLATURE 2003 STATUS REPORT
Miscellaneous

Advertiser Staff

Lawmakers closed the 2003 legislative session Thursday after taking action on hundreds of bills. Here are many of the more significant bills.

Bills that passed will be sent to Gov. Linda Lingle for signature or veto. Lawmakers can override a veto by a two-thirds vote of each house.

Airport, harbor security
(HB 1230 HD1 SD2 CD1)

Appropriates $8 million for security improvements at state airports and harbors. Also establishes a passenger facility charge revenue fund.

Skateboard park liability
(SB 975 HD1 CD1)

Establishes that government and government employees are not liable for any injuries at a public skateboard park, except when the injury is a result of the government's failure to maintain or repair the park.

Third-party liability
(SB 1234 SD2 HD1)

Gives victims injured by intoxicated people under 21 years old the right to collect compensation from adults who knew the underage individuals were drinking alcohol at their home.

Segways
(SB 1051 HD2 CD1)

Makes 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.

Matchmaking organizations
(HB 135 HD1 SD1 CD1)

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

Judicial salary commission
(SB 1333 SD1 HD2 CD1)

Authorizes the judicial salary commission to determine salaries for justices, judges, and appointed administrative judiciary officers effective July 1, 2004, and every eight years thereafter, subject to legislative approval.

Sports Hall of Fame
(HB 662 HD2 SD2)

Statutorily designates the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame as the State of Hawai'i museum of sports history in the Islands.

Check cashing
(HB 595 HD1 SD1 CD1)

Extends the check deposit deferral period from 31 to 32 days and raises the limitation on check amounts from $300 to $600.

College savings tax credit

Establishes a college savings program tax credit.

Korean War Museum

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

Art displays

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.

Female inmate parity

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.

Marriage license fee

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

Automobile registration fees

Increases the motor vehicle registration fee to raise money for additional emergency medical services statewide.

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.