Do you have or are interested in a worksite wellness program? If so, click on the "survey" link.
Small Business Coalition
Be a part of this coalition. Your voice at the Capitol speaks volume. If you would like to testify at hearings or be a small business advocate, we're here to assist you. Please e-mail smenor-mcnamara@cochawaii.org for more information.
Upcoming Chamber Committee Meetings
Human Resources March 19 at noon
Environmental Affairs March 20
Health Issues March 27 at noon
For more details on the meetings, please call Sherry Menor-McNamara at (808) 545-4300, x394.
If you are not a committee member yet, join one of the Chamber's committees today. Here is your opportunity to help set the organization's agenda and work with other business leaders to address critical issues, represent members' interests, and improve the state's overall business climate.
For a complete listing of Chamber committees & future meeting dates, click here.
Business Advocacy & Government Affairs Staff
Sherry Menor-McNamara, Vice President Ian Robertson, Policy Analyst Courtney Menard, Intern Liliya Paraketsova, Intern
33 days left in the legislative session (excluding weekends & holidays) Participate: Enhance Your Stance!
Dear Chamber Member:
Bills that may impact the cost of doing business are still moving through the legislative process (see "Bill Update" section). In fact, some of the workers' compensation bills just got scheduled for this Monday. The next legislative deadline is March 20, the day when all bills will need to be in the final referral committee.
This is the time to take action and voice your concerns. We encourage you to visit the Legislative Action Center on a daily basis due to the fast-paced nature of the legislative process.
We are also testifying on and tracking subject-matter related bills such as land use, environment, small business, tourism, tax, maritime, and military affairs,and monitoring many more. Click here for more information. If you would like additional information, updates, and Action Alerts on specific bills or have questions regarding some of the legislation, please e-mail Sherry at smenor-mcnamara@cochawaii.org.
We look forward to hearing your voice at the Capitol.
Also, don't forget, we still need your action on the California Container Tax bill. Go to the Legislative Action Center to take action.
Finally, new information in this e-newsletter include:
CHAMBER SURVEY: "A HEALTHY WORKFORCE" MEMBER ADVOCATE OF THE WEEK POLITICAL FUNDRAISERS GET TO KNOW YOUR LEGISLATOR SMALL BUSINESS COALITION (sidebar) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Every e-newsletter will feature new information. Send us your ideas or thoughts on information or topics you would like to know more about.
Sincerely, The Chamber's Business Advocacy Team "Voice of Business" at the State Capitol
HB 2386 and HB 2388, both relating to Workers' Compensation are scheduled for hearing on: Monday, March 17 at 9:00 a.m. in the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee (hearing notice)
This is one of the few chances left to voice your concerns.
The following is a list of some of the key bills that The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii has identified as those that relate to the Chamber's priority issues and that impact the membership.
To view the latest version of the bill, click on the bill number:
HB1745 HD2(CARRYOVER BILL FROM THE 2007 LEGISLATIVE SESSION) Employment DESCRIPTION: This measure requires successor employers to retain incumbent employees upon the merger, sale, or transfer of a business establishment that employs over 100 or more persons. CHAMBER POSITION: Oppose.
2/27: FIN decision-making at 11:00 a.m. No testimony accepted. Passed with amendments (changed defective date to 7/1/2008).
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to Senate JDL.
What This Bill Means To You
In general, this bill requires a successor employer to retain 100% of the incumbent employees unless the new business is substantially dissimilar to the old business or it can prove that HR staffing needs reduction. The Chamber well recognizes the hardship that business failures and ownership changes place on employees. However, we believe this measure will have a reverse effect on employees. Those businesses which would normally be sold to a buyer that can make necessary changes will simply go out of business leading to employees losing their jobs. Or the assets of the business will be sold off leading to employees losing their jobs. Overall, this measure serves as a disincentive for capital investment, which create jobs.
HB1969 HD1 Workers' Compensation DESCRIPTION: Exempts sole proprietors and LLCs and LLPs from purchasing workers' compensation coverage. CHAMBER POSITION: Support.
2/4: CPC Committee hearing on 2/4 at 2:00 p.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure unamended.
2/23: FIN hearing on 2/26 at 4:30 p.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure unamended.
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to Senate CPH, JDL
What This Bill Means To You
This bill exempts sole proprietors and partners of LLCs and LLPs from workers' compensation coverage. The Chamber believes this bill is consistent with the intent of protecting employees while helping small businesses reduce overhead costs.
HB2386 Workers' Compensation DESCRIPTION: Requires an employer to pay temporary total disability (TTD) benefits regardless of whether the employer controverts the right to benefits. Specifies that the employee's ability to return to work is to be decided by the employee's treating physician. CHAMBER POSITION: Oppose.
2/5: LAB hearing at 8:30 a.m. Chamber submitted testimony.
2/12: Passed the measure unamended (Comm. Report: SCR 524-08).
2/15: Referred to FIN.
2/26: FIN hearing at 4:30 p.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure unamended.
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to Senate JDL, WAM.
3/17: Senate JDL Hearing at 9:00 a.m. in Room 016
What This Bill Means To You
This bill requires an employer to pay TTD benefits regardless of whether the employer controverts the right to benefits. Although we understand the intent of this bill, we believe this bill may serve as a disincentive to return to work. If this happens, it will hurt small businesses which operate on limited resources. Also, the bill only allows an employee to file a request for hearing, not an employer.
HB2388 Workers' Compensation DESCRIPTION: Requires the employer to continue medical services to an injured employee despite disputes over whether treatment should be continued, until the director of labor and industrial relations decides whether treatment should be continued. CHAMBER POSITION:Oppose.
2/5: LAB hearing at 8:30 a.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure unamended (Comm. Report: SCR 525-08).
2/15: Referred to FIN.
2/26: FIN hearing at 4:30 p.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure unamended.
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to Senate JDL, WAM.
3/17: Senate JDL Hearing at 9:00 a.m. in Room 016.
What This Bill Means To You
This bill requires an employer to continue medical services to an employee regardless of disputable treatments. Although we understand the intent of this bill and recognize that workers suffering from work-related injuries deservedly warrant proper and necessary treatment, this measure may cause unintended consequences such as unreasonable and unnecessary treatment for non-related work injuries.
HB2520 HD3 Caregivers DESCRIPTION: Amends the temporary disability insurance law to permit an eligible employee to collect up to four weeks of temporary disability insurance (TDI) benefit payments to care for a family member with a qualifying disability. Effective 07/01/2059. CHAMBER POSITION: Oppose.
2/1: HLT/HSH hearing at 8:00 a.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Committees passed the measure with amendments (Comm. Report: SCR 203-08).
2/5: LAB hearing at 8:30 a.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure with amendments (Comm. Report: SCR 512-08).
2/15: Referred to FIN.
2/26: FIN hearing at 4:30 p.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure with amendments (Comm. Report: SCR 1033-08).
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to Senate HSP/JDL, WAM.
3/13: HSP/JDL Hearing at 1:15 p.m. in Room 016
What This Bill Means To You
This bill amends the TDI law to allow a caregiver to collect TDI payments. The Chamber commends the Legislature for seeking ways to address the current situation of caregivers and supports a statewide effort to address this issue. However, we believe this measure is not the appropriate vehicle and that further study needs to be conducted before implementing major changes to the TDI law. Therefore, the Chamber supports the senate language which creates a working group to discuss legislation that will mitigate unintended consequences. This measure, if passed, will especially impact small businesses because it will undermine their efforts to manage costs while retaining and providing benefits to employees.
HB2929 HD1 Workers' Compensation DESCRIPTION: Requires independent medical examinations and Permanent Impairment Rating Examinations to be performed by mutually agreed upon physicians. CHAMBER POSITION: Oppose.
2/5: Passed with amendments - combined other IME related bills (Comm. Report: SCR 232-08).
2/8: Referred to CPC (CPC did not schedule bill).
2/20: Re-referred to FIN.
2/27: FIN hearing at 11:00 a.m. Chamber submitted testimony. Passed the measure unamended.
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to Senate JDL.
What This Bill Means To You
This bill removes the employer's right to select a physician to conduct an independent medical examination (IME). Rather it requires IMEs to be conducted by mutually agreed upon physicians. The Chamber opposes this measure because we believe the current IME system is fair and balanced. Because most IMEs occur by mutual agreement already, legislation is not needed.
SB2808 SD2 EIS DESCRIPTION: Exempts from environmental assessments, state or county lands that include the use of existing streets roads highways, or trails or bikeways for limited purposes, or a modification or disposal of highway access rights or use, occupancy, or work within a public highway right-of-way to serve private development outside the highway right-of-way, under certain conditions. CHAMBER POSITION: Support.
2/27: Decision making at 10:00 a.m. Chamber submitted comments. Passed w/amendments (Comm. Report: SCR 2866).
3/4: Passed 3rd Reading.
Referred to House ENE/JUD.
What This Bill Means To You
This bill exempts from environmental assessments, projects, mainly small business projects, from the EA process. The Chamber supports the need for a comprehensive review of the HRS Chapter 343 relating to the EIS, however, we believe this measure will provide an immediate and short-term solution to clarify when an EA is required. Because of the unintended consequences of recent court decisions, many small business projects, such as those that plan to widen the driveway or other minor improvements are required to prepare an EA because they touch a state or county road right of way. Thus, current projects are experiencing delays and/or incurring increased costs.
For a complete list of bills that The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii is actively testifying on and tracking and that are still alive, please click here.
* If you would like additional information, updates, and Action Alerts on specific bills, please e-mail Sherry at smenor-mcnamara@cochawaii.org.
"BAGELS AND BILLS" LEGISLATIVE UPDATE SESSION + We are halfway over the legislative session. Learn about important legislation that is going through the legislative process and how these bills will impact your business.
DATE: Monday, March 24 TIME: 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
PLACE: 1132 Bishop Street, 3rd Floor Conference Room FREE ADMISSION (Bagels will be provided)
SAVE THE DATES FOR "WALK AROUND AT THE STATE CAPITOL"
Join fellow Chamber members at a "Second Decking" WALK AROUND AT THE STATE CAPITOL on Friday, April 4
and
"Final Decking" WALK AROUND AT THE STATE CAPITOL on Friday, April 25
Both will be from 10 - 12 p.m. Meet at the Capitol Rotunda by 10 a.m. RSVP: Courtney at cmenard@cochawaii.org the day before each Walk Around
Time is running out. These "Walk Arounds" will be the last chances to voice our concerns as a collective group to the legislators. Each moment counts. Feel free to join us even if it's for 15, 30, or 45 minutes. Your voice is critical in the legislative process. The more voices at the Capitol, the more attention we bring to the issues that affect business.
Participate: Enhance Your Stance!
If you have any questions, please feel free to call Sherry at 545-4300, x394. Thank you and we hope to see you.
Starting with this edition and moving forward, the Chamber will highlight a member advocate(s). What does this mean? An advocate is a member company who has responded to Action Alerts and has actively engaged in legislative activities. We are proud to feature our first advocate, Special Olympics Hawaii(www.specialolympicshawaii.com). Mahalo to your organization for playing a role in the Chamber's advocacy efforts!
Throughout the year and especially during the legislative session, legislators work hard, putting in long hours at the Capitol, listening, conversing, consulting, and drafting bills to implement effective policy by the end of the session (which is why it's important to voice your concerns).
However, it is also important and fun to know the non-legislative side of legislators. So, we thought we'd ask them the basics, you know, what's your favorite ______.
We are pleased to feature the first legislator, Rep. Kirk Caldwell who represents District 24 (Manoa, Moiliili, Punahou, and University). Click here for Rep. Caldwell's impressive bio.
FAVORITE BOOK Whatever I happen to be reading. I pretty much run the whole range. I am a big fan of Shakespeare.
FAVORITE FOOD Can't beat Zippy's Chili
FAVORITE QUOTE That's tough. I have lots. How about "Carpe diem" from Homer, which is popularly translated from the Latin to mean seize the day?
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Family time, especially with my daughter Maya, surfing, and for some strange reason, yardwork. The latter gives me a feeling of completion.
Thank you, Rep. Caldwell, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions!
* E-mail Sherry at smenor-mcnamara@cochawaii.org if you have any suggestions on other legislators you want to know more about.
Matters of Taste, Gentry Pacific Design Center 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
27th Sen. Lorraine Inouye
Bishop Museum Hawaiian Courtyard 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Most information were derived from the Democratic Party of Hawaii website. Information on fundraisers were not available on the Hawaii Republican Party website. If you have information on additional fundraisers, please call (808) 545-4300, x394.
* Please note that The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii does not endorse candidates. This is for informational purposes only.
Legislative Deadlines February 28: Deadline to File Second Reading Bills February 29: First Decking March 4: Floor Vote March 6: First Crossover March 20: Second Lateral April 4: Second Decking April 10: Second Crossover and Disagree April 24 & 25: Final Decking (non-fiscal and fiscal bills, respectively) April 29: Floor Vote on Most Bills May 1: Last Day of Session * for definitions on the above terms, visit, "Information on the Legislative Process" listed below.
Legislative Committees Acronyms House CPC: Consumer Protection & COmmerce FIN: Finance HLT: Health HSH: Human Services & Housing LAB: Labor & Pubic Employment WAM: Ways and Means
Senate CPH: Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing EDU: Education ENE: Energy & Environment HSP: Human Services & Public Housing JDL: Judiciary and Labor
Last year, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii advocated against a bill that was going through the California State Legislature. SB 974, also known as the California Container Tax bill, imposed a $30 fee on each 20 ft. equivalent unit. This came out to approximately $68 million in additional costs on consumers in Hawaii.
At the last minute, the author of the bill, Senator Lowenthal shelved the bill. We were recently informed that the bill has been removed from the inactive list Because the bill has gone through the process with unanimous support, the bill will soon go for a full Assembly vote. If passed, the bill will be sent to the Governor, who has indicated that he intends to sign the bill into law.
The estimated $68 million, however, is in addition to other fees that have already been approved and will take effect beginning in October and onward. So, Hawaii could face over $100 million in additional fees to ship goods to and from our state.
TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. Contact Hawaii's congressional delegation and Governor Lingle, requesting them to ask Governor Schwarzenegger to veto the bill. VoterVoice
+ 
FAVORITE BOOK
Last year, The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii advocated against a bill that was going through the California State Legislature. SB 974, also known as the California Container Tax bill, imposed a $30 fee on each 20 ft. equivalent unit. This came out to approximately $68 million in additional costs on consumers in Hawaii. 