Sen. Shimabukuro’s 2016 Bill List

Here is a preview of some of the bills that Sen. Shimabukuro is considering introducing during the 2016 legislative session. Please let her know if you have feedback, and if there are other bills you would like her to consider, by calling 586-7793 or emailing senshimabukuro@capitol.hawaii.gov.

Sen. Shimabukuro’s 2016 Bill List

Updated: 08/18/2015

1) WCEAR Extension: Possible bill / CIP request to connect “Series 7” (Piliokahi Ave) to Nanakuli Ave, and then to Helelua St. as an extension of the Waianae Coast Emergency Access Road (WCEAR)

2) Farrington Hwy Widening: Study to address bottleneck in Nanakuli and plan for use of $233m in potential federal funds contained in OMPO’s project list.

3) Trailer Parks: Legalize trailer parks on private lands to help address the homeless crisis.

4) Aha Moku Advisory Council (AMAC): Grant rule-making authority to AMAC to establish clear procedures and protocols, and help address concerns raised by the Hawaiian community

5) Hawaiian Immersion: Two separate bills, one to require DOE to report on the status of creating assessment tests in the Hawaiian language & the federal waiver request to do so.  Another bill which requires and appropriates funds for DOE to establish procedures to develop an assessment of established statewide performance standards for students in the kaiapuni program.

6) Marijuana Policy: Adopt uniform collateral sanctions for marijuana to allow offenders to have a “fresh start” and to have access to education, jobs, and other opportunities

7) “Hot Rod” Vehicles: Repeals the requirement for special inspection and certification of reconstructed vehicles prior to operation upon a public highway.  In the alternative, bring City inspector of reconstructed vehicles to Kapolei on a weekly basis.

8) Worker’s Compensation:  Requests an audit of the worker’s compensation system to investigate delays and alleged unfairness in the processing of claims

9)  District Courts: Raises the district courts’ jurisdictional limit for civil actions involving specific performance.

10) Car Insurance Claims:  Two bills aimed at improving the claims system.  The first requires insurance companies to disclose policy limits when requested by a claimant or claimant’s attorney.  The second requires an insurer in a claim under uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage to pay to the claimant an amount the insurer deems reasonable within thirty days of a demand for payment of the claim. Requires any undisputed amount paid to a claimant to be disclosed to the arbitrator or judge and deducted from the amount of any judgment or award.

11.  Medical Records Requests:  Requires health care providers to respond to requests for medical records in connection with insurance claims within 60 days, and to requests for medical bills within 30 days.  If the deadline is not met, said records shall be provided free of charge.