Senate WAM Committee advances bills on wildfire suppression, economy, homelessness and housing: Maui Now

Aftermath of the Lahaina forest fire. PC: Hawaii Community Foundation – Maui Strong

The Hawaii State Senate Ways and Means Committee approved several bills aimed at addressing the Senate's top priorities, including bills to assist with wildfire response, agriculture, economic development, homelessness and housing.

Wildfire recovery

The Ways and Means Committee reports that it continues to support bills that provide assistance and support to the people of Maui and the survivors and victims of the August 2023 wildfire. Senate Bill 2831 Senate Draft 1 would authorize the Department of Taxation to assist in the collection of Maui County's Transient Accommodations Tax, which will allow Maui County government to focus on core services and the needs of communities affected by wildfires. This bill was supported by the Maui County Mayor's Office and the Maui Chamber of Commerce.

Housing, both temporary and permanent, continues to be an important issue and need for West Maui. Senate Bill 2836 Senate Draft 2 would establish an interagency council of housing and development agencies in the state and county of Maui to ensure that housing construction is prioritized in a coordinated and meaningful manner. Supporting statements were received from the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation and the Hawaiʻi Public Housing Authority.

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Senate Bill 3068 Senate Draft 1 would provide over $230 million in operating funds and $178.5 million in general obligation bonds to support ongoing recovery efforts and housing and infrastructure for displaced residents for fiscal year 2025. This is in addition to the fiscal year already completed The state has spent and committed $600 million to assist displaced residents with out-of-community housing, transitional housing and wraparound services. These costs represent a significant investment in the West Maui region and its residents. The Committee remains concerned that these investments will not provide residents with a path to true recovery and reconstruction without a clear plan from the Administration for temporary and long-term housing will offer. This bill was supported by the Hawaiʻi State Library System, the Department of Defense, the Department of Human Services, and Maui County Council Chairwoman Alice Lee.

There was a desire from the people of Lahaina that their reconstruction efforts would be led by the residents of Lahaina. The committee supports this desire for self-determination and wants to give the Lahaina community the opportunity to direct the reconstruction of their community. Senate Bill 3381, Senate Bill 2, would create the Lele Community District, governed by an elected board of Lahaina residents, to create a community master plan that takes into account Lahaina's unique geography, history and culture.

To address community concerns and feedback about election integrity, Ways and Means amended the bill to limit donations that can go to a candidate to $100 in each two-year term to support grassroots efforts and elections. Additionally, the committee clarified that use of eminent domain may only be for the public benefit and consistent with the community master plan. The Committee encourages further discussion of this opportunity to empower the Lahaina community as the bill is developed. Various state agencies and members of the West Maui community have received testimony in support of this measure.

Agriculture

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Local meat producers face many challenges, including a lack of certified meat inspectors, resulting in costly delays in meat processing. Pre-slaughter inspection of livestock is a critical step in ensuring the quality and safety of the state's locally produced meat supply. The state's meat inspection program was discontinued in the mid-1990s and since then the state has relied entirely on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service to provide meat inspection services statewide. Senate Bill 1590 Senate Draft 1 would create three new positions for meat inspectors to support the growing local meat industry. The Department of Agriculture, the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii, the Hawaiʻi Cattlemen's Council, Inc., the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, and Ulupono have all expressed support for this bill.

Economic development

The Ways and Means Committee remains committed to promoting investment and innovation in Hawaii. One way to achieve this is to provide tax credits to companies and entrepreneurs for conducting research activities that can lead to valuable intellectual property and local businesses. The Legislature had previously set an annual cap of $5,000,000 on the research activity income tax credit, and that cap was reached almost immediately when online applications opened. In 2022, of the 26 companies that applied for the tax credit, only nine received the credit due to the existing annual cap. Senate Bill 2497 Senate Draft 2 would extend the expiration date of the existing research activity tax credit and increase the overall credit amounts. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, Hawaiʻi Technology Development Corporation, Hawaiʻi Food Industry Association, Hawaiʻi Chamber of Commerce, Nalu Scientific Enabling Innovation, and Oceanit submitted comments in support of this bill.

Homelessness and housing

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As homelessness continues to be a pressing issue across the state, the Committee continues to explore options to move people off the streets and into sustainable housing. One strategy that has proven to be a huge success is triage centers, which help homeless households access comprehensive services and a housing solution. The “Imi Ola Piha Homeless Triage Center”, managed by the Institute for Human Services and operational since June 5, 2023, has successfully moved homeless people from the streets into permanent housing. Within six months of becoming operational, the eight-bed service site reviewed over 150 referrals through collaboration with police, outreach specialists and other community providers. Of the 83 clients admitted, the Homeless Triage Center detoxified 63 clients and stabilized the mental illness of 35 clients. The Homeless Triage Center has also moved the detoxified and stabilized people to shelters or shelters to allow for further treatment in the community. Senate Bill 2885 Senate Draft 2 would establish a working group to coordinate the expansion of triage centers across the state. The Governor's Homelessness Coordinator, Partners In Care, the state Health Planning and Development Agency and Aloha United Way all expressed support for this bill.

In addition to the state, counties also have the opportunity to expand affordable housing through their zoning, planning and permitting requirements. Senate Bill 2337 Senate Draft 2 would allow counties to use the same powers and authority as the Hawaiʻi Housing Finance Development Corporation to facilitate the development of mixed-use developments. The Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, the City and County of Honolulu Planning and Permitting Department, the City and County of Honolulu Department of Housing, the Hawaiʻi Regional Council of Carpenters, the Maui County Mayor's Office and the Chamber of Commerce Maui supported this bill.

“As we reach the halfway point of the legislative session, the Ways and Means Committee is encouraged by the progress we have made in advancing the Senate Majority’s priorities for the benefit of Hawaii,” said Senator Donovan Dela Cruz (District 17 – Part of Mililani , Mililani Mauka, part of Waipi'o Acres, Launani Valley, Wahiawā, Whitmore Village), Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. “We look forward to continuing the people’s work and considering the bills we receive from the House next week.”

Each of these bills will be voted on by the full Senate on March 5 and, if passed, sent to the House of Representatives for further consideration.

Senator Donovan Dela Cruz, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. WAM-JDC, WAM-JDC, WAM, WAM Public Hearings (2.22.24). PC: Hawaii State Senate / YouTube