The Kauai Chamber of Commerce looks forward to the upcoming legislative session and a very vigorous election season during the second half of the year.
The legislative session opens Wednesday and ends on May 1. The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii will also host a Chamber Week from Jan. 13-17, which will include several opportunities for the business community to participate in, including a State of Business panel discussion on Monday, Manufacturing Launch Party and Leg 101 class on Tuesday, a Wednesday Business Appreciation Day, an annual walk around the capitol followed by a legislative meet and greet both on Thursday and concluding with a military appreciation sign waving on Friday.
The walk around provides over 200 attendees to present the chambers of Hawaii and Hawaii Alliance 2014 legislative package while at the same time provide a one-on-one opportunity with legislators on the day after the opening of the session.
The evening’s meet and greet allows for attendees to have a more informal opportunity to also renew relationships make news ones just prior to the busy session. Kauai businesses are invited to participate in any of the above events by visiting www.cochawaii.org. The Kauai Chamber will participate throughout the week along with our neighbor island counterparts.
n The Kauai Chamber’s Government Affairs & Business Advocacy Committee, which includes two subcommittees and an adhoc committee, will be reviewing bills introduced by legislators. Members of the chamber will have opportunities to provide their input through the Chamber Alert system. The website is www.kauaichamber.org. About 4,000 bills were introduced during the last session. About 400 became law.
n A bill being submitted by the Hawaii State Association of Counties and Hawaii State Association of Mayors seeks to allow the counties to establish a county surcharge on the state tax, i.e., increase the current General Excise Tax at 4.167 per cent to an additional increase between one-half per cent to one per cent. This is a result of the cap placed on the Transient Accommodations Tax which each county receives. The cap was instituted due to the economic downturn. As the economy improves and more services are needed by visitors and residents, the cap results in less funds available to support public services provided by the county. To make up for the loss, the increase in the GET will permit each county to have the ability to levy the additional tax increase.
n The Kauai Business Council’s legislative wish list and member organizations’ top priorities range from Capital Improvement Projects such as public restroom facilities in Hanapepe town, to road and traffic improvements and to allowing video testimony in court cases for thefts against tourists who do not live in Hawaii. Also, new programs to address the rapidly growing use of illegal drugs, continued efforts in economic and workforce development for a returning and expanding economy, funding to support the maintenance and upkeep of parks, trails, facilities (both county and state) to enforcement of regulations at parks, enforcement of illegal vending and camping and destruction of property. Water safety and education were also outlined as other important priories as well as the support and perpetuation of the Hawaiian culture.
• Randy Francisco is president of the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.
