Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Bill to Establish Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Passes Committee
UPDATE: After negotiators failed to strike a deal Friday night, legislative leaders removed Senate Committee Chairman Josh Green and pushed the deadline to Monday.
PF Bentley/Civil Beat
Hawaii’s Preschool Open Doors Funding May Continue
Legislators’ last-ditch effort could maintain current funding levels. Little else was accomplished this session for early childhood education.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Hawaii Legislature Resurrects Bill to Establish Marijuana Dispensaries
UPDATED: A panel will reconvene Monday to consider the bill after Senate leadership kicked Sen. Josh Green off the conference committee.
A Rundown of Survivors and Casualties at the Hawaii Legislature
Rail tax, Alii Place, Turtle Bay and autism bills advance. Payday loans, adult care home reform, school bullying and public housing bills die.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Care Home Bill Fails to Advance Despite Pleas
The measure might have brought married couples together, but risked displacing Medicaid recipients in favor of private-pay clients.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Plan to Retool Unfunded Liability Mandate Rejected
Hawaii will continue plugging the multi-billion-dollar hole by steadily increasing payments to fully pre-fund employee health benefits.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Honolulu Rail Tax Lives Another Day, Heads For Floor Vote
A conference committee approves a five-year extension of the GET surcharge for rail, adding a provision that the state retains “air rights.”
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Lawmakers Work Overtime on Medi-Pot Dispensaries
UPDATE: Rep. Della Au Belatti and Sen. Josh Green couldn’t reach agreement, but deadline has been extended.
Cory Lum/Civil Beat
Effort to Cap Payday Loan Rates Dies After Maui Lawmakers Clash
Rep. Justin Woodson wanted to maintain the current maximum interest rate, while Sen. Rosalyn Baker was adamant about lowering it.
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Bill Requiring Insurance Coverage of Autism Treatment Passes Committee
If “Luke’s Law” can get past floor votes, Hawaii would join 39 other states and D.C. in requiring insurance companies to help with treatment.