2014 Legislative Session: Get Involved!

In preparation for the 2014 legislative session, (which begins today: January 15), we are inviting video submissions from school classrooms and other youth groups that address "how a bill becomes a law."

Using one or more of the KIRC’s legislative goals as a focal point, our hope is to ignite a new ROCK THE VOTE movement amongst the generation that will carry on the KIRC's restoration efforts on Kaho'olawe.

HOW IT WORKS:

1) Review the KIRC's 3-part legislative package below and pick one (or more!) proposals to depict in live action.

2) Using your video camera, Smartphone, GoPro or other crafty device, create a movie (up to 3 minutes) illustrating how the bill of your choice will become law.

3) Share your video link with us using Dropbox, Facebook, YouTube or Vimeo.

4) The KIRC will share your entries with its entire social network!

Stay in touch with this year's legislative session by following us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/KIRCMAUI) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/KircMaui) - or - email us at mailto:administrator@kahoolawe.hawaii.gov  for updates!

                                                          

KIRC Legislative Goals for 2014

1) Conveyance Tax: KIRC proposes a portion of Conveyance Tax revenues to be used to supplement the Kaho’olawe Rehabilitation Trust Fund for the long-term rehabilitation and maintenance of the Kaho’olawe Island Reserve.  Currently this work is financed through grant awards and a percentage of the 1993 U.S. Navy cleanup budget, which is anticipated to be exhausted by the end of FY2016. Conveyance Tax is a progressive deed transfer tax applied to all transfers of real property. The balance is then transferred into the State’s general fund. Current recipients of conveyance tax funding include the Natural Area Reserves, Legacy Lands and Affordable Housing. 

2) Asset Forfeiture Bill: This bill authorizes the KIRC to use asset forfeiture or seizure of property in the event of a crime within the Kaho`olawe Island Reserve. The sheer volume and last-minute negotiations of bills heard last session (2013) caused the bill to stall before its final committee vote and presentation on the House Floor. Through ongoing communications with the Maui boating community, the bill has been amended to serve the best interests of everyone.  We hope for a hearing and vote this session.

3) Capital Improvements: KIRC requests Capital Improvement Project (CIP) funding to develop a sustainable energy and infrastructure system for Kaho`olawe.  This request entails major infrastructure changes to the island that will sustainably expand access for the people of Hawai`i.  In support of creating the first energy independent island in Hawai`i, the largest portion of this request will support a stand-alone, battery storage photovoltaic energy system for Kaho`olawe that will reduce — and eventually eliminate — the need for fossil fuels on-island.