Bill Signing Ceremonies
IMMIGRANTS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
July 10 - Governor Lingle
signed into law a key bill designed to improve state and state-funded
services to immigrants with limited English proficiency. The
signing ceremony was held at the Susannah Wesley Community Center in
Kalihi, which provides social services to those in need, including
immigrants who speak little or no English. HB2778, HD2, SD2, CD1 (Act
290) requires the state, as well as state-funded programs, to develop
plans to provide interpretation services and translated documents to
immigrants and residents who have limited ability to read or speak
English. "This bill will help a silent minority in our community- those
who are not getting services they are entitled to," Governor Lingle
said. "Language should not be a barrier to basic needs such as housing,
food and health care."
GOVERNOR SIGNS ADDITIONAL
"ENERGY FOR TOMORROW"
BILL TO PROMOTE ENERGY SELF SUFFICIENCY
June 26 - Governor
Lingle signed into law a key energy bill that provides significant
movement toward achievement of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s 'Energy
for Tomorrow' vision. SB 2957 is part of a bold and strategic energy
plan that encourages and supports market-based development of reliable,
cost-effective, and self-reliant energy for Hawai`i. Specifically,
SB 2957 promotes energy self-sufficiency by increasing incentives for
residents and businesses to adopt renewable technologies. Governor Lingle
met with workers at Gay & Robinson, the only remaining sugar
plantation on Kaua`i, and said, “You will be involved as we improve for
generations to come, to secure energy sufficiency.”
GOVERNOR DEDICATES HAWAI`I FILM
STUDIO
June 23 - Governor
Lingle attended a blessing and dedication ceremony to celebrate the grand
opening of two newly constructed buildings at the Hawai`i Film Studio.
The $7.3 million renovation project, which was completed this month,
included new production offices, a technical building and production
stage and the first soundproof and air-conditioned motion picture stage
in Hawai`i. As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration's commitment
to building a viable film industry, the Governor recently signed
legislation to increase economic incentives for new film productions in
Hawai`i. Starting July 1, the state will offer a 15 percent
refundable tax credit for production on O`ahu and 20 percent on the
neighbor islands - a significant increase from the current 4
percent.
BILLS TO PROTECT PETS FROM
ABUSE,
NEGLECT SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
June 23 - In conjunction with national "Take Your Pet to Work Day,"
Governor Lingle joined animal rights supporters and pet lovers at the
Hawaiian Humane Society to sign two bills to prevent cruelty to animals.
SB2924 SD1 HD1 CD1 (Act 239) allows a law enforcement officer with a
search warrant to enter property where there is probable cause to believe
an animal is being abused or neglected. The second bill, SB2930 SD1 HD1
CD1 (Act 238), ensures that the cost incurred by a humane society or other
organization to house and care for an impounded animal would be reimbursed
to the agency. "Our pets provide us with unconditional love and
companionship, and they deserve to be protected from cruelty and neglect,"
said Governor Lingle, who owns two cats, a stray found in Hilo (Nani
Girl), and another that she adopted from the Hawaiian Humane Society
(Stripes).
GOVERNOR SIGNS ADDITIONAL
"ENERGY FOR TOMORROW" BILLS
June 2 - While in
Hilo, Governor Lingle signed into law two more energy bills as part of the
Lingle-Aiona Administration’s Energy for Tomorrow vision. The bills
(SB 3185 and HB 2848) are part of a bold and strategic energy plan that
encourages and supports market-based development of reliable,
cost-effective, and self-reliant energy for Hawai`i. “Through these new
laws we are reaffirming our desire to establish a secure energy and
economic future for the people of Hawai`i by reducing our dependence on
imported oil,” said Governor Lingle. “We also want to encourage the use of
energy efficiency and renewables, including biofuels in Hawai`i. One
of these new laws (SB 3185), which was passed with bipartisan support by
the Legislature, includes provisions that will help strengthen the state’s
Renewable Portfolio Standards law. It will ensure that the electric
utilities meet the 20 percent renewable energy targets by the year 2020 -
our 20% by 2020 goal.”
GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PROTECT
HAWAI`I RESIDENTS FROM IDENTITY THEFT
May 25 - As part national
"Older Americans Month," Governor Lingle signed six bills to protect
seniors and other Hawai`i residents from becoming victims of identity
theft. Identity theft is the number one concern among consumers
contacting the Federal Trade Commission, and it is the fastest growing
crime today. "People who steal our identity do more than take our
money," the Governor said. "They rob us of our good name
and force us to spend countless hours putting our hard-earned reputation
and credit back in order." The bill signing ceremony was held in
conjunction with the Older Americans Recognition Luncheon at Washington
Place to highlight the fact that senior citizens are increasingly becoming
targets of identity theft. During the luncheon, the Governor recognized
eight outstanding senior citizens, two from each county, who donate their
time and talents each year to help others in the community through active
volunteerism in hospitals, clinics, senior centers, charitable
organizations, churches, meals-on-wheels and other outreach services.
GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR
HOMELESS
AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAMS
May 15 - Governor
Lingle signed three bills at the "Next Step" shelter that dedicate more
than $40 million to help end homelessness in Hawai`i and increase the
availability of affordable housing. The bills (HB2176, HB2964 and HB2991)
represent a 400 percent increase in funding for homeless programs and
services and will help public, private and non-profit housing developers
build more affordable housing. "Homelessness and affordable housing are
major issues that our Administration worked closely with the Legislature
and others in our community to address," said Governor Lingle. "The
bills do not provide the 'silver bullet' to solve the problem of
homelessness and the affordable housing shortage. However, they do
provide much-needed financial resources and other tools to allow us to
take the next step to maintain the momentum we have achieved in meeting
one of the most basic needs of our residents – housing."
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GOVERNOR ENACTS LAWS TO INCREASE
STATE'S DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
May 22 - Governor Lingle
signed three bills into law to improve Hawai`i’s ability to prepare for
natural and man-made disasters. The three bills (SB2214, HB2343, and
HB3121) are part of the state’s comprehensive emergency
preparedness plan to mitigate existing hazards in order to lessen the impact
of potential disasters, enhance preparedness before a major disaster occurs,
and accelerate response and recovery when a disaster does strike.
“These three new laws strengthen our ability to save lives and protect
property in the event of an emergency,” said Governor Lingle. “The
measures provide funds that will enable us to prepare for and promptly
respond to disasters, and ensure civil defense workers and property are
protected during emergencies. Pets will also be accommodated in
designated shelters." The signing coincided with the National Weather
Service's announcement of its forecast 2006 hurricane season. The
Governor also declared May 21-27 as "Hurricane Preparedness Week" and
encouraged residents to prepare a hurricane emergency kit.
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GOVERNOR SIGNS LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE ENERGY EFFICIENCY
May 12 - Governor
Lingle signed into law HB 2175 which marks a milestone in her Energy for
Tomorrow vision. The bill is part of a bold and strategic energy plan
which encourages and supports market-based development of reliable,
cost-effective, and self-reliant energy for Hawai`i. "Through this new law
we have engaged state agencies to Lead by Example to establish a secure
energy and economic future for the people of Hawai`i," the Governor said.
"This new law, which was passed with bipartisan support by the Legislature,
will help state agencies increase energy efficiency and will set an example
for residents and businesses to embrace energy conservation and support
energy alternatives." The Governor presented a copy of the ceremonial
bill to Representative Mina Morita who said, "I am so glad that we've taken
this big step under the leadership of Governor Lingle and under the
leadership of DBEDT... they really have a Cracker Jack team." View
this bill signing ceremony
here.
GOVERNOR SIGNS BILLS TO PROTECT VICTIMS OF CRIME
May 8 - Governor Lingle,
joined by Attorney General Mark Bennett, county prosecutors, law enforcement
officials, legislators and victims rights advocates, signed bills to provide
justice for victims of crime. The bills signed include the "Three
Strikes Law" (SB 2260) to establish a mandatory sentence of 30 years to life
for habitual violent felons who have been convicted of three separate
violent felonies such as murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, and home
burglary. She also signed a bill (SB2265) that mandates a minimum
one-year prison sentence for those convicted preying on children by using
computers to try to entice young children to have sex. A third bill
(HB2278) provides $2.3 million for treatment and protection programs for
victims of sexual violence as well as for DNA testing of convicted
felons.
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To view the bill signing, click on the photo. |
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| To read more in the Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, click on the article. |
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