Senator Clayton Hee Member Feed

LAWMAKERS HOLD BRIEFING ON THE STATE'S APPLICATION AND PLAN FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

The Hawaii State Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor and the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment will hold an informational briefing Friday to get an update on the State of Hawaii's Application and Plan for Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) for fiscal years (FY) 2015 and 2016.

"The Community Services Block Grant provides federal funding for Hawaii to determine its goals and objectives and implement initiatives to address poverty issues," said Senator Clayton Hee, chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor. "CSBG grant funding improves the quality of life and raises the welfare of our state's residents."

"We rely on this federal funding to enhance the livelihood of our state," said Representative Mark Nakashima, chair of the House Committee on Labor and Public Employment. "When we address the root causes of poverty, we can begin to plan for improvements to lessen poverty's effect."

The State of Hawaii's CSBG Application and Plan for FY 2015 and 2016 was released for public comment on June 9, 2014. Federal law requires the state to post its plan and hold public hearings on the matter.

CSBG is administered federally by the Office of Community Services within the Administration of Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services and by the State of Hawaii Department of Labor's Office of Community Services at the local level. CSBG funding is used to support efforts to assist low-income families and individuals. Funding is available to all four county Community Action Agencies including Honolulu Community Action Program, Hawaii County Economic Opportunity Council, Maui Economic Opportunity, and Kauai Economic Opportunity.

The State CSBG Application and Plan for FY 2015 and 2016 is available online.

STATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS SUBPOENAED TO TESTIFY BEFORE SENATE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTE

The Hawaii State Senate continues its investigation into allegations of misconduct at the State Hospital on Wednesday, July 30 at 10 a.m. in Room 16 of the Hawaii State Capitol.

Scheduled to testify are the following individuals for which subpoenas were issued:

• William May, Hawaii State Hospital Administrator
• William Sheehan, Hawaii State Hospital Associate Administrator of Clinical Services

"We're continuing our investigation into the Hawaii State Hospital and asking the relevant and hard-hitting questions so that we can make it a safer place for employees and patients while ensuring proper execution in employment policies practices," said Sen. Clayton Hee, co-chair of the Senate Investigative Committee on the State Hospital. "We are also looking forward to discussing with Mr. May the future of the hospital and how he anticipates to get there."

"We have held nine hearings thus far and each time we learn something new do about the environment of the hospital," added committee co-chair Sen. Josh Green, who is also an emergency department physician. "As the process moves on, we're seeing some changes and by the end of our investigation I expect to have comprehensive understanding of all its problems, from worker injuries to accusations of nepotism and mismanagement."

The Special Investigative Committee on the State Hospital was formed during the 2014 legislative session to conduct an investigation of the workplace safety of psychiatric workers and allegations of administrative improprieties and failure to conform to established employment policies and practices at the Hawaii State Hospital. The hearings began in March to receive testimony from subpoenaed individuals and has been ongoing as senators take a wide-ranging and in-depth look at the State Hospital.

Please visit the investigative committee's

STATE HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATORS SUBPOENAED TO TESTIFY BEFOR SENATE INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE

The Hawaii State Senate continues its investigation into allegations of misconduct at the State Hospital on Wednesday, July 16.

The Special Investigative Committee on the State Hospital was formed during the 2014 legislative session to conduct an investigation of the workplace safety of psychiatric workers and allegations of administrative improprieties and failure to conform to established employment policies and practices at the Hawaii State Hospital. The hearings began in March to receive testimony from subpoenaed individuals and has been ongoing as senators take a wide-ranging and in-depth look at the State Hospital.

"There are a growing number of concerns at the State Hospital," said Senator Clayton Hee, co-chair of the Senate Special Investigative Committee on the State Hospital. "As we learn more about the inner workings at the State Hospital, it's become clear that there are many issues that need addressing. We need to hold workers accountable for improper actions, but also equip them with the tools necessary to do their jobs."

"The first step in solving a problem is to assess the current situation" said Senator Josh Green, co-chair of the Senate Special Investigative Committee on the State Hospital. "The hearings we hold attempts to gives us insight into what exactly is happening at the State Hospital so that we can begin to address and solve those issues with open and transparent governance."

The next hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 18 at 11:00am in Room 16 of the Hawaii State Capitol to receive testimony from the following individuals for which subpoenas were issued:

Mark Fridovich, Adult Mental Health Division Administrator William Elliott, Acting Hawaii State Hospital Administrator Linda Rosen, Director of the Department of Health

BALANCE PLAYS KEY ROLE IN LAWMAKERS ADVANCING LEGISLATION THAT SUPPORT HAWAII'S PEOPLE AND LAND

Conferees approve minimum wage increase, funding for Turtle Bay Conservation Easement, supporting kūpuna, protecting the environment, and a budget highlighting education

In the spirit of collaboration, House and Senate conferees today struck a balance passing out several conference drafts that support the people of Hawaii and protect and preserve the land that they live. The bills now goes to the full Senate and House for a final floor vote.

"The Legislature for the third year in a row worked efficiently and effectively to end conference negotiations on time," said Senate President Donna Mercado Kim. "In the past, certain bills required extending the deadline for negotiations. Efficiency is important to the Senate as we continue to do work for the people of Hawaii."

Increasing Minimum Wage
Senate Bill 2609 will boost the income of Hawaii's lowest paid workers giving them more money to spend and invest, increasing economic activity and growth, while allowing them to care for their families. The final version of the bill increases the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10 over the next four years. For workers who earn at least $7 more than the minimum wage, businesses can deduct a 75 cents tip credit. The current tip credit is 50 cents.

"From the start of the session, the Hawaii State Senate has been committed to improving the lives of Hawaii's people and raising the minimum wage is just one of the measures that will do just that," said Sen. Clayton Hee, Judiciary Chair. "Raising the minimum wage is not only good for Hawaii's people, it's the right thing to do and makes good economic sense. My colleagues and our counterparts in the House worked tirelessly to work out differences and through compromise were successful in approving this much-needed piece of legislation."

Preserving Hawaii's Lands
House Bill 2434 will pro

Hawaii State Senate Confirms Judge James H. Ashford to Oahu District Court

In a special session, the Hawaii State Senate today confirmed James H. Ashford as District Judge of the First Circuit, located on Oahu. He was nominated by Chief Justice Mark E. Recktenwald and was subject to Senate confirmation. Judge Ashford fills the vacancy created by the selection of Dean Ochiai as First Circuit Court judge.

"A son of Hawaii and of a well known attorney, Judge Ashford has shown himself to be an individual of great candor. With his appointment I believe that the people of Oahu will be well-served," said Senator Clayton Hee, who chairs the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor.

Ashford currently serves as a partner at the law firm of Cades Schutte, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, including real estate disputes, employment law, construction and condominium disputes, trust and estate litigation and education law. He has tried more than 20 cases in state and federal court and is a regular speaker at litigation and employment law seminars in Hawaii and on the mainland.

Ashford earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California, and his Doctor of Jurisprudence from the Loyola Law School.

He will serve a term of six years. View the media release.

Aloha Friends and Neighbors,

On May 2nd, the 2013 Legislative Session officially came to a close and I would like to thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve the last truly rural district on Oahu.

No Na Mamo, this year's Senate Majority theme meaning "for all generations," provided me the focus on the bills heard and passed by the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor, for which I serve as Chairman.

The Judiciary and Labor Committee focused on measures to improve Hawaii's penal code to provide greater protection for the people of Hawaii, strengthen animal cruelty laws, implement further employee rights within the workforce, and continue our effort in preserving Native Hawaiian rights.

Although the 2013 Legislative Session brought with it new leadership in both the House and Senate, I believe we made a step in the right direction to laying a solid foundation to build a stronger economy and move Hawaii forward for all generations for the remainder of the biennium.

Mahalo,
Clayton Hee

Click here to read the 2013 Session Overview.

Shark finning ban now a CNMI law

Read the article in the Saipan Tribune.

Senator Hee met with members of the Guam legislature yesterday to discuss legislation to ban shark fin possession

Read the article in the Marianas Variety.

New video: Hawaii Senator urges CNMI lawmakers to ban shark filming

"Hawaii is the first government in the world to ban the possession, distribution and sale of shark fins. Hawaii State Senator Clayton Hee is the author of the historic legislation. Now he is pushing for a similar bill to pass in the CNMI. KSPN's Liz Wahl reports." Visit Senator Hee's webpage to view the video.

News article from Saipan Tribune: Hawaii senator drums up support for CNMI's shark finning ban bill

"Hawaiian State Senator Clayton Hee, the author of the bill that became the strongest anti-shark finning law in the nation, is drumming up support for a similar CNMI House bill pending at the Senate..." View the full article at the Saipan Tribune.