GM486 (Confirmed)

Nomination to the Motor Vehicle Licensing Board.

HADA supports the nomination of Gubernatorial Nominee Wayne DeLuz to the Motor Vehicle Licensing Board.

Presented to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB10 HD2 SD1 (Died 2005)

Exempts Hi. Nat’l Guard from weight tax and state fee.

HADA supported the measure and provided copies of information on the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Act of 1940 which makes such provisions for out-of-state, active duty military to pay only $1 to register. We suggested that the City and County of Honolulu eliminate its $20 fee to military because such money is going into a general fund instead of the previously created Motor Vehicle Licensing Fund (and thus portions above actual costs serve as an unauthorized “tax” on military). Dennis Kamimura at DMV said city corp council says such is ok even though seemingly prohibited by the ACT. HADA strongly opposed elimination of the Special Fund in 1996; $12 mil was transferred to the general fund.

HB994 HD2 SD1 (Died 2005)

Establishes a tax credit for investment in a $50 mil Motor Sports Facility.

HADA supported. Good background on this bill was received at HADA from Cutter Team and Mike McKenna.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB217 HD1 (Died 2005)

This bill refers to the sunset of licensing boards.

HADA opposed automatic sunset of licensing boards upon the auditor’s recommendation. The Association had worked for years to reestablish the franchise protection portion of HRS 437, and the authority for such is the motor vehicle licensing board.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB641 (Died 2005)

Discouraged “shakedown” lawsuits.

HADA strongly supported this legislation which required the Insurance Commissioner to serve as an Administrative cure for technical violations of the licensing laws.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB857 HD1 (Died 2005)

Requires decibel tests on safety check.

HADA gave verbal testimony in opposition because of the lack of details on costs to dealerships (however, we supported the intent of reducing noise pollution).

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB208 (Died 2005)

Allows legal fees even when no loss or injury to the plaintiff is shown.

HADA expressed "grave concerns and strong opposition."

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB841 SD2 CD1 (Passed Without HADA Curriculum Proposal)

Incorporated the HADA-advanced public school curriculum reform.

HADA strongly supported incorporating elements of SB451 into the vehicle that was moving through the Session. Our education reform measure was accompanied by a 1000-word essay in the Star-Bulletin, and an op-ed in the Honolulu Advertiser. The HADA-sponsored request, however, for $1 million for development of a language arts/ core content curriculum for K-6, was gutted by the conference committee.

Download HADA's testimony here.

* Update: HADA–sponsored elements, however, were gutted by the conference committee.

HB1275 (Died 2005)

Requires min. wage of $9.43/hr. in businesses that bid on state contracts of $100K or more.

HADA expressed “grave concerns and strong opposition” and provided Joe Nicolai’s JN Chevrolet wage plans which show auto techs receive $75K in annual compensation even though their base hourly wage was $9/hour.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB1277 (Died 2005)

Establishes 2.18% tax on all health plan premiums.

HADA strongly opposed with verbal testimony showing that 27,000 businesses would have to average $3,000 each to pay for uninsured families earning up to $60K HADA expressed grave concerns.

HB1309 HD2 SD2 CD1 (Became Law Without Governor's Signature)

Establishes up a 1/2% GET increase to fund transit solutions.

HADA opposed this measure “until a workable traffic plan is proposed.” HADA testified that approving such large amounts of money to be taken from taxpayers ($900 from the average household) would have a chilling effect on retail sales, and the economy in general, but we withheld strong opposition awaiting a detailed transit plan

On the Senate side crossover hearing in Transportation HADA proposed an amendment: “Receipts of a dealer from furnishing goods or services to the purchaser of tangible personal property to fulfill a warranty obligation of the manufacturer of the property may be deducted from gross receipts” TGO Chair Sen. Inouye said she would request that chair of the co-comm hearing, IGA chair Sen. Ige incorporate the amendment.

Download HADA's supporting testimony here.
Download HADA's opposing testimony here.
Download alternate testimony here.

HB1323 (Died 2005)

Creates a $250 Advance Disposal Fee on all new vehicles sold.

HADA expressed “grave concerns and strong opposition” and produced info on county programs which are already in place which provide for derelict vehicle pickup. The county $5 highway beautification fee on registrations was supplied to the Committee. Most members were unaware of such, and appreciated the info.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB1226 (Died 2005)

Establishes a 1% county tax for tourism promotion.

HADA expressed “grave concerns and strong opposition” testifying that the addition of a $250 tax on a $25,000 car would be like adding a 13th monthly car payment for new car buys. Such would chill new car sales by 1-2%.

SB294 SD3 HD1 CD1 (Enacted Without Governor's Signature)

Proposed to raise the minimum wage to $8 by 2007.

HADA did not oppose “periodic” increases in the minimum wage, but HADA strongly opposed the proposal to use the GSP “deflator” method to establish an annual scheduled raise in the min. wage. After HADA’s testimony, the “deflator” language was removed.

Download HADA's testimony here.
Additional testimony here.

SB427 SD1 (Died 2005)

Child passenger safety seats for up to 7 years old.

HADA monitors this bill. NADA has no information on raising the requirement to 7 yrs vice 4 years old. Citizen testimony from soccer parents told of the difficulty in transporting the team if all had to have safety seats.

SCR73 SD1 (Died 2005)

This resolution requested that Hawaii’s congressional delegation vote to eliminate the death tax permanently.

HADA strongly supported the permanent elimination of the “death tax.” In 2001 Congressman Neil Abercrombie, at HADA’s request, helped lead dozens of Democrats on to the national legislation to eliminate this tax that severely affects family businesses.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB1699 (Died 2005)

Disposal fee for lead acid batteries.

HADA opposed with verbal testimony.

HB1477 (Died 2005)

Establishes 2.18% tax on all health plan premiums.

HADA strongly opposed with verbal testimony showing that 27,000 businesses would have to average $3,000 each to pay for uninsured families earning up to $60K. HADA expressed grave concerns.

SB844 SD1 (Died 2005)

Aligns statutes with current safety check practices.

HADA supported the Administration’s measure brought forward by John Lovestedt in the highway safety/ reconstructed vehicles division.

Download HADA's testimony here.

SB1710 (Died 2005)

Requires green- house gas emission reductions of 22% by 2013 and 30% by 2017.

The Automobile Manufacturers’ Alliance gave opposing testimony. HADA had spoken earlier (in the interim) with the chair—Maui’s Sen. Kalani English—who said that he was going to continue to push the issue. He was made aware of the severe problems that such a measure would cause Hawaii motorists, i.e. a severe reduction in their choice of new vehicles in 2013. HADA expressed grave concerns

HB1753 (Died 2005)

HADA expressed “grave concerns and strong opposition” and provided research on class-action attorney Vince Megna’s book that launched this bill in several states.

Download HADA's testimony here.

HB1553 (Died 2005)

Requires Dept of Health to develop rules for max. reduction of green-house gas emissions.

The Alliance opposed. The Department of Health opposed. HADA expressed grave concerns.

HCR178 (Died 2005)

Establishes a Task Force to study and report on Waste Management Strategies for Automobiles, Automotive Products and Electronic Waste.

HADA supports this measure to study strategies for waste management for automobiles, automotive products and electronic waste and offered to provide a task force member.. HADA volunteered to serve on Task Force.

Download HADA's testimony here.

SB451 SD1 (Died 2005)
Elements were incorporated into HB841 SD1

Incorporated the HADA-advanced public school curriculum reform.

HADA strongly supports SB451. Our education reform measure was accompanied by a 1000-word essay in the Star-Bulletin, and an op-ed in the Honolulu Advertiser.

Download HADA's testimony here.
Download HADA's press testimony here.