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A measure to allocate nearly $20 million during the next fiscal year to the state Department of Agriculture for biosecurity measures is being described by some as a "landmark" bill. Nearly $3.2 million would fund 44 new department positions to support biosecurity.
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Lawmakers in conference committee, one of the final legislative processes, have passed Senate Bill 2085 to establish a dedicated fire marshal who will direct statewide efforts to prevent and respond to fires.
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A controversial measure to keep Hawaiian Electric in good financial standing after the Maui wildfires has died in the state Senate. The bill would have allowed HECO to issue ratepayer-backed bonds to fund wildfire mitigation efforts.
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Counties will likely have more control over short-term rentals after this legislative session. A measure that would give counties more regulatory power over short-term rentals passed out of conference. It’s one of the last major hurdles of the legislative process.
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Of the 19 trainsets already delivered, 12 are fully tested and have been turned over to the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services.
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Disagreement between the two chambers centers on concerns raised by the state attorney general’s office that the amendment to include the Water Commission is not relevant to the original bill.
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The Honolulu Salary Commission wants to give the mayor, city lawmakers and department leaders a raise of about 3.6%. The commission this week made its final recommendations for the salaries, which now go through the Honolulu City Council. It includes a salary of $217,000 for the mayor, $127,000 for the council chair and $117,000 for councilmembers.
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Kim Coco Iwamoto spoke to The Conversation about the revenue the state would lose from passing HB 2653. She also shared her perspective as an heir to Roberts Hawaii, her family's tour and transportation company.
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While the state is still dealing with the aftermath of the Maui wildfires, the state legislature is considering a measure to address property damage in the case of future catastrophic wildfires.The measure would allow stakeholders to pay into a wildfire relief fund that would compensate property owners in the case of another wildfire.
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An acute housing shortage hitting fire survivors on Maui is squeezing out residents even as they try to overcome the loss of loved ones, their homes and their community. The situation is prompting state lawmakers to consider giving counties the authority to phase out vacation rentals.
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Nearly two dozen students from Hawaiian immersion schools on Maui have traveled to the state Capitol multiple times this legislative session with a simple message. The high court’s unanimous decision found the state attorney general's office made false statements to try to exploit the Maui wildfires to advance its own interests.
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Despite sizable public opposition, lawmakers are racing to finalize a bill that could pass the costs of the Maui wildfires onto ratepayers. HPR's Maddie Bender and Savannah Harriman-Pote explain what that means for Hawaiian Electric and its customers.