HONOLULU — Committee hearings are slowing at the Hawaii state Legislature, but that’s not to say the hearings won’t stir some curiosity. ADVERTISING HONOLULU — Committee hearings are slowing at the Hawaii state Legislature, but that’s not to say the
HONOLULU — Committee hearings are slowing at the Hawaii state Legislature, but that’s not to say the hearings won’t stir some curiosity.
On Wednesday, a House committee will consider the merits of locking up “graffiti materials,” such as spray paint, so anyone wanting a can of Krylon will have to flag down a store employee to access it. And a bill in a hearing Thursday could grant breast-feeding mothers a year reprieve from jury duty.
Here are five other things to watch this week:
PUBLIC HOUSING SMOKING
l A bill that would ban smoking in and near public housing under penalty of eviction for a third offense (SB651, SD1) goes before a joint committee Thursday. The debate pits public health advocates against the real-world prospect of evicting older or lower-income people from their homes for lighting up.
PHONE CRAMMING
l A proposed measure (SB 2748) would restrict telecom companies to billing for services the customer specifically requests. It’ll also be in committee Thursday.
TRANSPORTING INVASIVES
l Nurseries or landscapers who move plants infested with little fire ants or coqui frogs, both pernicious invasive species, would face the prospect of paying for extermination costs if those pests infest other properties under a bill (SB2347) up for consideration Thursday.
PRISON UPKEEP
l The Department of Public Safety will offer an informational briefing Wednesday about maintaining, building and improving prisons and jails in Hawaii.
DRONE PRIVACY
l A bill (SB 2608) aimed at ensuring unmanned aircraft aren’t used to impinge on the privacy of Hawaii residents will be in committee Tuesday. It will prohibit anyone but law enforcement to use drones to gather information and curtails law enforcement’s latitude to do so.
