Representative Kymberly Pine’s office taped Christopher T. Van Marter’s testimony in a hearing for HB2288
Measure Title: RELATING TO RECORD KEEPING.
Report Title: Computer Crime; Record keeping; Internet Service Providers
Description: Requires internet service providers to keep consumer records for no less than 2 years.1/26/2012 H The committee(s) on ERB recommend(s) that the measure be deferred.
For more information contact: reppine@capitol.hawaii.gov
LABOR & PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT Stand. Comm. Rep. No. 3-12
H.B. No. 1452, H.D. 1 RELATING TO SERVICES FOR SURVIVORS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING. (Survivors of Human Trafficking; Services)
AS AMENDED, PASS SECOND READING, REFER TO JUDICIARY
Contact: repfontaine@capitol.hawaii.gov
excerpt from Capitol TV Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012
Representative George Fontaine speaks with Kathy Xian – Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery (PASS) and Kalei about Sex Trafficking in Hawaii.
National Human Trafficking resource center 888-3737-888
Pacific Alliance to Stop Slavery 808-343-5056
repfontaine@capitol.hawaii.gov
HAWAII REPORTER- HONOLULU, HAWAII – January 22, 2012
A bill establishing a Farm to School Program within the Department of Agriculture was introduced today by Hawai‘i State Representative Cynthia Thielen (R, 50th District: Kailua, Kaneohe Bay). This program would require public schools to purchase Hawai‘i -grown produce when it is available at approximately the same cost as foods imported from out of state.
“Not only does this program support our farming industry, but it offers healthy food choices to our young people. The Farm to School Program is a win-win situation for us all,” said Representative Thielen, adding, that the partnership between Hawaii food growers and schools offers numerous nutritional, environmental and economic benefits to our state.
HB1718 (The Farm to School Bill) describes Hawai‘i-grown produce as “fruits and vegetables grown in the state which are unprocessed, minimally processed, flash frozen, or otherwise prepared and handled to maintain their freshness while providing convenience to the user”.
“Our school budgets are tight, and it is important to point out that this bill stipulates that the foods purchased locally must not cost more than 3 percent of comparable produce. Additionally, local produce must meet US Department of Agriculture requirements,” explained Representative Thielen.
In addition to using Hawaii-grown produce in their menu selections, Hawaii schools would also be encouraged to have farmers markets on school grounds, plant school gardens and educate students on the nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits of preparing and consuming Hawaii-grown produce.
“Educating our younger generation on the benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables is important if we want to promote wellness and health that will last a lifetime,” said Rep. Thielen.
For more information regarding HB1718, contact the office of Representative Cynthia Thielen, (808) 586-6480.
By Susan Halas January 23, 2012
As the 2012 Hawaii State Legislature opens for business, now is a good time to take a look at George Fontaine.
This Maui legislator is definitely a departure from the norm. In a body full of Democrats he’s one of only eight Republicans serving in the House. In a group dominated members with high seniority, he’s a freshman. In a political scenario often orchestrated by Oahu, he represents South Maui. And, in a roomful of former lawyers, he was a cop before he entered politics.
George Fontaine (51) is not your standard-issue Hawaii politician. He represents South Maui’s 11th State House District including Kihei, Wailea and Makena. To him Republican means “less government, more economic opportunity for business.”
As for style, his is non-confrontational: “It’s how you carry yourself and what your attitude is that counts.
“A long time ago my father gave me some very good advice. In two words my dad told me: ‘Be nice.’ That advice has carried me a long way. You need other people to get things done. My main objective is representing the people in my district. You have to find common ground. I’m not a partisan guy. Leave the party tag at the door.”
Before seeking public office, Fontaine was active in the Maui community for many years. He served as an officer with the Maui Police Department from 1980 to 2005, retiring as Wailuku Patrol Captain.
While a member of the MPD he also started and later sold Maui Gateway, an early internet service provider. He considers himself tech savvy and is also the author of a number of computer books.
After retirement he became Hawaii Rotary District Governor from 2007 to 2008. This volunteer position involved extensive travel and kept him in contact with Hawaii’s 43 Rotary clubs with more than 2,200 members.
After that politics came easily. “My life has always been about public service, it was a natural.” In just a short time he’s gone from “enforcing the laws to making them.”
His own top priority is the economy. “Government doesn’t create jobs,” he said. “Business creates jobs. My sympathies lie with the private sector; making it possible to have a healthy business community.”
Fontaine first ran and lost in 2008. He ran again and won in 2010. He’s just finished the first year of a two year term and is already raising funds to run again this fall. He’s hoping to raise $50,000. “Well maybe,” he said, “$30,000 would be more realistic.”
He refers to himself as a “fiscal conservative” and a “committed family man.” His wife Paige is his campaign manager and an excellent photographer. They have two children Phillip 15 and Angelique 17. The family lives in Kihei where they belong to St. Theresa’s Catholic Church. Before his life became so busy he enjoyed diving and also liked to play golf.
His advice to Maui voters of all parties is: “Stay involved; stay active. Follow the bills that interest you. Let your lawmakers hear from you. We are all here to represent you.”
“We heard many priorities today from Governor Abercrombie that we in the Republican caucus have shared and supported for years. Fiscal prudence, tourism, infrastructure and high-tech industry are truly important factors in improving our economy and creating jobs in Hawaii.
The fiscal situation this year has improved from last year, but less bad is not a surplus. Today’s address highlighted short-term revenue raising solutions and some long range spending plans, but Abercrombie did not bring forth sustainable measures to put Hawaii on a better economic track. Without including the next set of projections from the Council on Revenues, Abercrombie’s plan still leads us into a deficit next year, and he made few comments to indicate that he would focus on economic growth and small businesses development.
Abercrombie identified some of our state’s major concerns like reducing our dependence on oil, improving education and encouraging healthy lifestyles, but we need to be sure our solutions are responsible and sustainable. Right now, Abercrombie’s plan puts our State in a continual deficit for the next 5 years; we need to be sure we are thinking more long-term.
Abercrombie’s call for unity and the absence of tax increases are a good beginning. However, we hope that as the session moves on the governor and the legislature can develop and promote solutions that will fix our problems today AND decrease the cost-of-living for our constituents in the long run.”
The House Republican Caucus is Minority Leader Gene Ward, Minority Floor Leader Kymberly Marcos Pine, Minority Policy Leader Barbara C. Marumoto, Assistant Minority Leader Cynthia Thielen, Assistant Floor Leader Corinne W.L. Ching and Minority Whips, Representatives George Fontaine, Aaron Ling Johanson, and Gil Riviere.
Jan. 22 2012 HONOLULU, HAWAII -
In the 2012 legislative session Rep. Barbara Marumoto will be introducing two snake bills, two bills to reduce auto costs and a measure to require that the list of names of people nominated for judgeships be released to the public as part of her legislative package. Her traffic safety bills calling for helmets, ATV legislation, etc., from 2011 remain alive.
In order to revive the brown tree snake prevention program, Rep. Marumoto is requesting the restoration of three positions for dog handlers in the Department of Agriculture. Another measure would instead provide the department with funds to contract with a private entity who already has trained dogs. The latter may be less expensive and could get started faster.
Bills to reduce drivers ‘ costs include a $10 decrease in state auto registration and a reduction in the state weight tax. Last year the Legislature raised registration from $20 to $45. Marumoto proposes to lower the weight tax from by.5 cents per pound.
The courts have determined and the Judicial Selection Commission have agreed that the names of people nominated for judgeships should be made public. Believing that transparency leads to a better informed constituency, Rep. Marumoto wants to see this policy codified in statute.
Rep. Gene Ward (R-Hawaii Kai – Kalama Valley) has introduced legislation that will make legal the operation of autonomous cars in Hawaii. The bill, modeled after a Nevada law that allowed Google to test its driverless cars in the state, addresses legal issues that may arise when no human driver is behind the wheel of a motor vehicle.
“In road tests conducted on the West Coast with a driverless vehicle for over 100,000 miles, there was not a single accident according to my discussions with Google executives,” Ward said.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the number of deaths on American highways hovers around 40000 annually.
Google’s driverless cars use artificial intelligence software, global positioning systems and sensors to navigate. Because machines don’t become angry, distracted or tired, and because they can be aware of more things at once, they can potentially operate vehicles more safely than human drivers. The two accidents that Google’s driverless cars have been involved in since 2010 were caused by human drivers.
Autonomous cars that are safer than cars driven by humans can be built to be lighter, increasing fuel efficiency, and travel closer together, increasing road capacity. “If we want Hawaii to be energy independent, and if we want safer and less congested roads, then we need legislation that paves the way for technological advances like driverless cars,” Ward concluded.
Representative Gene Ward’s Opening Day Speech – House of Representatives, Hawaii
excerpt from Capitol TV
