: RELATING TO EXPUNGEMENT.
Bill Description: Requires courts to, upon application, to expunge records of convictions, if the sentencing occurred before 1998, for first-time offenses involving: (1) operating a vehicle after consuming a measurable amount of alcohol while under the age of 21 years; and (2) certain property offenses. Takes effect July 1, 2025.
Veto Rationale: According to the Attorney General, this bill intends to expunge records of sentences imposed prior to 1998, but the two laws referenced in the bill were enacted after 1998. Therefore, the bill has no impact for expungement.
Bill Description: Specifies the methods by which the Department of Land and Natural Resources can issue new ocean recreation commercial permits and renew existing ocean recreation commercial permits. Specifies that new permits for ocean recreation management areas and facilities where a permit limit is implemented, shall be issued by the method and order set specified, until the limit is reached. For renewal of existing permits in ocean recreation management areas and facilities where a permit limit is implemented, bases renewal of a commercial permit on seniority, until the limit is reached.
Veto Rationale: Hawai‘i must strategically regulate commercial uses across our shared ocean for the
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| Kila'i Karratti and her steer at 4-H Livestock Show & Auction. |
perpetuation of our natural and cultural resources. While the recreation commercial permitting system requires reform, our state needs to take a balanced, concerted approach so that fishermen, hundreds of local jobs, and several businesses across our islands are not adversely impacted by the sudden change in ocean recreation commercial permits.
SB1518: RELATING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
Bill Description: Provides procurement exemptions for the Department of Education for certain goods, services, and construction. Sunsets June 30, 2026.
Veto Rationale: Existing guidelines under a singular procurement code provide for an open and
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| Hilina'i Karratti and her steer at 4-H Livestock Show & Auction. |
on.
transparent process; procurement should be uniform for all statewide government entities. If the Department of Education has specific goods or services which it believes should not apply to competitive procurement, then existing statute and administrative rules already provide guidelines for such exemptions. If enacted, this bill will decrease efficiency, create administrative burdens, limit competition, and open unfair advantages to certain vendors.
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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| Lily Dacalio and her steer at 4-H Livestock Show & Auction. |
THE U.S. MILITARY IN HAWAI'I, with U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, has secured key priorities during markup of the Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act.
Hirono said, “Modern, high-quality infrastructure is critical to our military’s ability to defend our nation and support our servicemembers. The crisis (of tainted water from an O'ahu military base) at Red Hill has made all too clear the consequences of failing to properly maintain and modernize DOD infrastructure. That’s why, as Chair of the Readiness Subcommittee, I’ve made
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| London Dacalio with her Reserve Champion at 4-H Livestock Show & Auction. |
modernizing DOD infrastructure in Hawai'i and across the globe a top priority. From requiring a master plan to modernize DOD infrastructure in Hawaii to creating new programs to replace aging barracks and much more, the infrastructure-related provisions in this bill will help ensure the readiness of our military and the health and safety of our servicemembers, their families, and surrounding communities.”
The bill introduced by Senator Hirono:
Directs the Defense Department to develop a master plan to modernize critical infrastructure at military installations in the State of Hawai'i.
Requires the DOD to develop and implement a standardized system to measure and report on the
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Hezykiah Fernandes with her Grand Champion Steer
at 4-H Livestock Show & Auction. |
condition and performance of non-privatized critical infrastructure systems on military installations to better assess and invest in military facilities in Hawai'i.
Directs the assessment of the capacity of existing infrastructure, resources, and personnel in Guam to meet U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) strategic objectives to inform future projects.
Creates a pilot program to replace substandard enlisted barracks, a uniform condition index for all unaccompanied housing, and a certification of habitability for unaccompanied military housing.
Directs the Army to conduct a study of costs to repair and modernize decaying infrastructure across their facilities, to include a review of technologies that can be used to prevent corrosion damage and costly remediation.
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| Ayden Benevides and his steer at 4-H Livestock Show & Auction. |
Directs a study assessing the maintenance and modernization requirements at the Reagan Missile Defense Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll. The study will review the use of technologies to prevent corrosion damage and costly remediation and reduce dependence on imported bulk fuel by using renewable energy sources.
Authorizes funds for a military construction pilot in the INDOPACOM area of operations which, along with expanded authority to conduct minor military construction, will help improve infrastructure and posture throughout INDOPACOM.
Calls for the development of a plan to bring 5G telecommunication infrastructure to INDOPACOM installations.
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Jared Marshall with his Reserve Champion Lamb at 4-H Livestock
Show & Auction held in Waimea with competitors from Kaʻū. |
Hirono also secured numerous provisions focused on delivering for communities in Hawai'i, supporting servicemembers and their families, strengthening DOD’s capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region, and prioritizing sustainability within the DOD.
“Hawaii plays a critical role in our nation’s defense, and this bill acknowledged that importance by investing in DOD projects across the state
to benefit both military and civilian communities,” said Hirono. “These investments, along with provisions to strengthen DOD’s capabilities in the Pacific, will enable the Department to operate more effectively throughout the region. I’m also proud to have secured provisions in the bill to ensure servicemembers and their families are well supported and that DOD does its part to reduce emissions and become more environmentally sustainable. These provisions move our military and our country forward, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get it passed and signed into law in the months ahead.”
Hirono's initiative: Requires DOD installations to have a liaison to Native Hawaiian Organizations for facilities in proximity with their interests when the DOD authorizes appropriations.
Authorizes impact aid for schools with military dependent students and children with severe disabilities.
Limits the DOD from making substantial cuts to the Overseas Cost-of-Living Allowances (OCOLA) and directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on the fairness and equity of the processes used by the Department of Defense to determine (OCOLA) for service members.
Directs the DOD to establish a comprehensive program to combat sex trafficking to include on-base signage, and standardized Combating Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) training that will be reported to the CTIP Program Management Office.
Improves on Hirono’s work on the Stayskal Act by adjusting the DOD medical malpractice claims process to allow only board-certified physicians to provide expert medical opinions, enhance transparency, and allow service-members to appeal.
Increases funding of the Shipyard and Ship Repair Workforce Training program beyond the President's Budget.
Directs the Defense Department to study whether offering no-cost cryopreservation services to military members would assist family planning and boost retention.
Calls on the Defense Department to examine skilled-trade and training programs, particularly those that support DOD workforce needs, to assist and support servicemembers to secure gainful employment upon separation from active duty.
Affirms that military members and beneficiaries affected by the Red Hill fuel spill will be eligible to receive medical care from a provider that has received training on and has access to best practices for fuel exposure and will always have access to their documented exposure through their medical record.
Supports the Defense Civilian Training Corp pilot, which modernizes and strengthens the DOD civilian pipeline, and recommends DOD include the Corp in the FY25 budget request.
Directs a study of service members and dependents’ perinatal mental health (the time during pregnancy and up to one year after childbirth, still birth, or miscarriage) to assess the prevalence of mental health conditions, substance use or overdose, election to leave the military and suicide to in order to better serve military families.
Encourages the Defense Department to work in conjunction the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide transition assistance, specifically as it relates to support and resources for veteran-specific mental health issues.
Directs Secretary of Defense to brief Congress on transition programs aimed at providing mental health support and assistance to transitioning service members and the feasibility of a study that would educate members on specific mental health risks such as loss of community, isolation, self-medication, and risk factors that contribute to suicide. The program would educate service members on resources available through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Initiates a study on the creation of a National Guard component of the Space Force that will pause the Space Force’s current transition until a federally funded research and development center can thoroughly analyze the plan to determine the most reasonable courses of action.
Extends the H-2B Visa program for admission to Guam or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands for certain non-immigrant workers through 2029.
Her proposal directs the Defense Department to develop a plan for the missile defense of Hawai'i as well as planning for military construction projects that will enable the timely deployment of air and missile defense capabilities across all locations in INDOPACOM.
Recognizes the importance of land forces in the Pacific with an emphasis on the Army’s Multi-Domain Task Forces and Security Assistance Brigades along with the Marine Corps Marine Littoral Regiments.
Authorizes full funding of LPD-33 in order to support the Marine Corps’ future ability to deter aggression in the Pacific, respond to contingencies, and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Authorizes a military construction pilot in INDOPACOM which, along with expanded authority to conduct minor military construction, will help improve infrastructure and posture throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Grants authority to the Commander of U.S. INDOPACOM to authorize certain military construction projects without requiring higher approval.
Authorizes the Commander of INDOPACOM to carry out “Campaigning” exercises that will strengthen alliances and partnerships, deter aggression by adversaries, and allow the U.S. Armed Forces to coordinate and operate with foreign military partners in the INDOPACOM region.
Secures sustained funding for the Cyber Operations for Base Resilience Architecture (COBRA), which is a pilot program to address cybersecurity and mission assurance gaps in critical infrastructure that supports military bases.
Modifies the support of special operations for irregular warfare provision and allows special operations forces to provide support to foreign forces that are conducting authorized U.S. irregular warfare activities.
Secures funding for military construction projects on Guam for satellite and joint communications upgrades, a missile integration test facility, an artillery battery facility a child development center at Andersen AFB.
Calls for the establishment of an Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness initiative with Australia, Japan, and India.
Requires a plan from the Department of Defense to enhance security cooperation with Japan.
Authorizes funds to complete pier construction on the Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
Requires a briefing summarizing ongoing State Partnership Program activities in the Indo-Pacific, including an identification of any additional resources required to support those activities.
Encourages the Air Force to consider the training potential for F-22 Block 20 aircraft.
Grants special authorities for combatant commanders, including INDOPACOM, to request emergency, rapid contracting response.
Authorizes additional money for the Defense Established program to stimulate competitive research
(DEPSCoR), which provides funding for university research activities in science and engineering to meet the needs of national defense in select states.
Prioritize Sustainability and the Environment:Requires DOD to establish policies and procedures to identify, recycle, and reuse end-of-life equipment that contains rare earth elements and other strategic and critical materials.
Directs the Army to provide a briefing on a strategy that focuses on the timely removal of unexploded ordnance at Waikoloa Maneuver Area near the Army’s Pohakuloa Training Area.
Adds additional funds to the Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration program (REPI).
Facilitates a strategy for the rapid acquisition of the Army’s Tactical Wheeled Vehicle Program that includes vehicle electrification and technological advances that will increase efficiency and reduce demand.
Initiates a pilot program on the increased use of sustainable building materials in military construction.
Secured an increase in funding beyond the President’s budget for Bien Hoa dioxin cleanup in Vietnam.
Includes additional funding to research, develop, test and evaluate fuel cells for next-generation combat vehicles.
A statement from Hirono says that "Committee approval is the first step in the process to establish defense funding levels and set policies for the DoD. The bill will next be debated and voted on by the full Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives will debate and advance its own separate bill. Once both the Senate and House pass their versions of the NDAA, they must be reconciled by a bicameral conference committee, and then approved by each chamber before a final version is sent to the President to be signed into law."
To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See latest print edition at kaucalendar.com, in the mail and on stands.
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