HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

THE TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2008

 

COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION & COMMERCE

Rep. Robert N. Herkes, Chair

Rep. Angus L.K. McKelvey, Vice Chair

 

Rep. Cindy Evans

Rep. Joseph M. Souki

Rep. Josh Green, M.D.

Rep. Clift Tsuji

Rep. Ken Ito

Rep. Ryan I. Yamane

Rep. Sylvia Luke

Rep. Kyle T. Yamashita

Rep. Hermina M. Morita

Rep. Barbara C. Marumoto

Rep. Alex M. Sonson

Rep. Cynthia Thielen

 

NOTICE OF HEARING

 

DATE:

Monday, March 17, 2008

TIME:

3:30 pm

PLACE:

Conference Room 325

State Capitol

415 South Beretania Street

 

A G E N D A

 

SB 3030, SD2, HD1

(HSCR1079-08)

Status

RELATING TO MIXED MARTIAL ARTS.

Establishes a revised fee structure to fund mixed martial arts regulation.  (SB3030 HD1)

 

TAC, CPC, FIN

SB 2530, SD2

(HSCR1102-08)

Status

RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

Requires group health issuers to offer small group health plans to self-employed individuals who are licensed by the department of commerce and consumer affairs and are located in the group issuer's service areas.  Authorizes the insurance commissioner to exempt certain group health plans based on specified criteria.  Allows limits on timing of enrollment and reenrollment to control adverse selection and plan costs.  Repeals on 7/1/13.  (SD2)

 

EDB, CPC, FIN

SB 3016, SD1, HD1

(HSCR1101-08)

Status

RELATING TO MUTUAL BENEFIT SOCIETIES.

Maintains competition and consumer choice by deleting requirements that pose obstacles to smaller health plans.  Deletes requirement that health plans must maintain a fund equal to "one half of twenty times the maximum benefits paid in 30 days" and caps the deposit requirement at $20 million. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to appoint an independent auditor to conduct a financial and operational audit of mutual benefit societies established in Hawaii prior to 1950.  (SB3016 HD1)

 

HLT, CPC, FIN

SB 2864, SD2

(HSCR1097-08)

Status

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Requires the insurance commissioner to conduct a study of the adequacy of health plan reimbursements to providers.  (SB2864 SD2)

 

HLT, CPC, FIN

SB 3011, SD1

(SSCR2687)

Status

RELATING TO INSURANCE.

Allows the Insurance Division to include a 3-month reserve in the calculation of Compliance Resolution Fund (CRF) assessments in order to ensure continued operations of the Division at the end of the fiscal year. (SD1)

 

CPC, FIN

SB 2991, SD2, HD1

(HSCR1119-08)

Status

RELATING TO ENERGY RESOURCES.

To comprehensively address deficiencies in Hawaii's energy resources coordination statutes.  Provide policy guidance needed to provide adequate detail on the nature and relationship of the energy data analyses functions of the state energy resources coordinator and energy program. (SB2991 HD1)

 

EEP, CPC, FIN

SB 3001, SD2

(HSCR1123-08)

Status

RELATING TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

Clarifies provisions of chapter 269, part VII, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to the administration and use of moneys supporting energy-efficiency and demand-side management programs and services.  (SD2)

 

EEP, CPC, FIN

SB 2958, SD1, HD1

(HSCR1115-08)

Status

RELATING TO ENHANCED 911 SERVICES FOR MOBILE PHONES.

Requires the Auditor to perform a financial and management audit of the wireless enhanced 911 fund.  (SB2958 HD1)

 

PSM, CPC, FIN

SB 2783, SD2

(HSCR1114-08)

Status

 

Proposed HD1

RELATING TO LOSS MITIGATION.

Includes earthquake resistive devices in the loss mitigation grant program.  Directs the insurance commissioner to develop criteria for earthquake resistive devices. Sets grant reimbursement amount for earthquake resistive devices at 50% and caps grant at $5,000.  Increases grant reimbursement amount for wind resistive devices to 50% and caps grant at $5,000.  Establishes and funds a public awareness campaign on hazard mitigation.  Appropriates funds for a testing facility to test wind resistant devices and safe room designs.  Authorizes Insurance Commissioner to determine standards for earthquake and wind resistive installation procedures and engineering content.  Extends the loss mitigation grant program for 3 years.  Appropriates funds for the loss mitigation grant fund. (SB2783 SD2)

 

Copies of the Proposed HD1 are available in Room 320 and on the

Legislature's website:  http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov

 

PSM, CPC, FIN

 

DECISION MAKING TO FOLLOW

 

Persons wishing to offer comments should submit testimony at least 24 hours prior to the hearing with a transmittal cover indicating:

·     Testifier's name with position/title and organization;

·     The Committee the comments are directed to;

·     The date and time of the hearing;

·     Measure number; and

·     The number of copies the Committee is requesting. 

 

While every effort will be made to copy, organize, and collate all testimony received, materials received on the day of the hearing or improperly identified or directed to the incorrect office, may be distributed to the Committee after the hearing.

 

 

Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:

PAPER:    5 copies (including an original) to CPC Vice Chair, Room 315, in the State Capitol;

FAX:        For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to CPC Vice Chair 586-6161 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859       (Neighbor Islands); or

EMAIL:    For comments less than 5 pages in length, transmit to [email protected].

 

Testimony submitted will be placed on the Legislative Web site after the hearing adjourns.  This public posting of testimony on the Web site should be considered when including personal information in your testimony.

 

If you require special assistance or auxiliary aids and/or services to participate in the House public hearing process (i.e., sign or foreign language interpreter or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the CPC Committee Clerk at 586-6172or email your request for an interpreter to [email protected] at least 24 hours prior to the hearing for arrangements.  Prompt requests submitted help to ensure the availability of qualified individuals and appropriate accommodations.

 

Selected meetings are broadcast live.  Check the current legislative broadcast schedule on the "Capitol TV" Web site at www.capitoltv.org OR call 550-8074.

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

Rep. Robert N. Herkes

Chair