As we near the middle of this year’s legislative session, many bills important to Molokai have picked up steam while others fell to the wayside. Rep. Mele Carroll lost out on her civil unions bill, but Sen. Kalani English has many bills focused on the education on Molokai.

Bills are usually referred to two or three committees when introduced, according to the Hawaii Public Access Room (PAR), a government agency that provides information to the public about the legislature. If the bill did not reach its last committee by Feb. 26, called the First Decking, it is dead for the session.

Here is a breakdown of some of the bills important to Molokai introduced by state representatives.

Sen. English, (D) 6th District
•    Instructional days at public schools (SB2336). This bill would require all public schools a minimum of 190 instructional days per school year and 36 hours of instruction per week. Currently, furloughs reduce the school year to 167 days a year. The bill passed through all required committees and went to a vote on Mar. 2.
•    Weighted student formula (SB2451). This bill helps remote schools by allocating money based on “categorical allotments” instead of the weighted student formula. This guarantees a minimum number of positions and resources to make sure smaller schools are able to continue. All public schools on Molokai would fall under this bill. The bill passed through all required committees.
•    Transportation of school children (SB2452). Requires the Department of Education (DOE) to provide or subsidize the cost of transportation to and from school for K-12 students at public schools, except those in the Honolulu departmental district. Increases the fuel tax to finance the cost of providing or subsidizing the cost of school transportation. The bill passed through all required committees and went to a vote on Mar. 2.
•    Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund (SB2205). Allows individuals under Hawaii Employer-Union Health Benefits Trust Fund health plan to opt out of requirement to purchase maintenance prescriptions by mail order. Many Molokai EUTF beneficiaries brought the issue to the Governor’s Council for Neighbor Islands in January. The bill passed through all required committees, and went to vote on Mar. 2
•    Kalaupapa transfer (SB2771). Transfers the ownership and management of Kalawao County from Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) when no longer person receiving care for Hansen’s disease living in Kalaupapa. The bill passed through all required committees and went to a vote on Mar. 2.



Rep. Carroll, (D) 13th District
•    Capital Improvement Projects: Money was secured last year for many important infrastructural projects on Molokai, including $3.5 million for repairs to the Molokai Irrigation System, $1 million for Molokai Ohana Health Care and $500,000 toward land acquisition for Maui Community College – Molokai Campus. Carroll is currently working on releasing that money.
•    Hawaiian Home Lands: Gaming (HB2759). Authorizes the Hawaiian Homes Commission (HHC) to allow gaming on Hawaiian Homelands. Carroll said she wanted to start a “conversation” about a way to generate a continual source of revenue. All the money would be reinvested in the community, and a commission within the homelands would regulate the gaming. Did not pass through Committee on Finance.
•    Closure and consolidation of schools (HB2974). Prohibits a school’s closure due to inadequate funding under the weighted school formula. Specifically prohibits the closure of Maunaloa Elementary School. Did not pass through Committee on Education or Committee on Finance.
•    Instructional days at public schools (HB2486). Companion to Senate Bill 2336. Establishes a minimum number of instructional hours per school year beginning in 2011-2012 school year. The bill passed through all required committees and went to a vote on Mar. 2.
•    Civil Unions (HB444). Extends the same rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities of spouses in a marriage to partners in a civil union. Passed in Senate, but postponed indefinitely by House on Jan. 29.


Anyone wishing to learn more about these and the representatives’ many other bills, visit www.capitol.hawaii.gov. To submit testimony to a hearing, or to let Carroll and English know of questions and concerns, call their offices at 1-800-468-4644: Carroll ext. 66790; English ext. 77225.