FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2001
Contact: Rep. Kika Bukoski
Tel.: 586-6330




REPUBLICANS HELP DEFEAT HB 728, SD1, CD1


Republican Representative Kika Bukoski (Upcountry Maui) said HB 728 will be recommitted today, with the help of the republicans, essentially killing the bill for this legislative session. Strong opposition from the House Republican Caucus, plus support from the counties and the Sierra Club helped to defeat the measure, which would have exempted state airports projects from county rules and regulations. By voting to recommit the measure, House Republicans will continue to show their commitment to supporting home rule for counties.


"The State wanted to exempt itself from having to comply with rules that require environmental impact studies and residential input," said Kika Bukoski (R-Upcountry Maui). "It is extremely important that both public and private sector projects go through the county approval process, so that the people who live in the local communities have a chance to discuss and approve land use decisions that directly affect them."


Even thought the bill was amended to provide the various County Councils with a 45 day period during which they could disagree with the proposed usage of state lands, that was no substitute for going through the county regulatory process.


"With the defeat of this bill, the State should begin to recognize that it is not above county law when the issues in question directly impact the counties, and that the people who live in the affected county have the right to be involved in the decision making process," said Bukoski.


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