Senate Standing Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs

Aloha. Vast audience in the Internet world. We are convening the Committee on Energy Intergovernmental Affairs on this 27th of March, 4:00 in Building 016. For all of the people that have lined up to testify on this bill, we're going to limit your testimony to one minute.

This hearing is being streamed live on YouTube, and if we have any kind of technical difficulties, we will let all zero of you know where we are going to--when we are going to reconvene. So we have six resolutions on the agenda. The first two are Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 and SR 23.

This is urging the County of Maui Planning Department to retain the word required in the South Maui Community Plan as it relates to infrastructure to ensure that development does not occur without adequate supporting infrastructure. On our testifiers list, we have Mike Moran, who might be joining us via Zoom. Trent.

Not present on Zoom, Chair.

Also Audrey Lester might be joining us via Zoom.

Also not present.

Okay, that's all I have for those who wish to testify on Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 and SR 33. So since we have no one to ask questions of, we're going to move on to the next pair of resolutions. Those are Senate Concurrent Resolution 82 and SR 65.

And in this resolution, it says that we're going to urge the County of Maui and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize and expedite the planning, funding, and construction of a permanent replacement for the Kelani Kahoi Bridge, and on our testifiers list here, we have absolutely nobody.

Okay, so we are going to move on to the last pair of resolutions. Senate Concurrent Resolution 95 and Senate Resolution 78. These two resolutions request the County of Maui to study the feasibility of implementing a universal basic income program for residents and businesses, business owners impacted by the 2023 Maui wildfires.

On our testifiers list we have Emma Heidenreich. It is Emma joining us. Oh, there's Emma. Hello. Hello. Please tell us why you like this bill.

Hello, Senators. I'm here to express my strong support for SR SCR 95, which asked the County of Maui to look into the possibility of implementing a universal basic income program for residents and business owners affected by the 2023 Maui wildfires. The 2023 wildfires have devastated countless lives on Maui.

Thousands of residents have lost their homes, livelihoods and sense of security. As we continue with recovery efforts, it is critical that we consider every possibility and way to support those who have been hit as hardest by the disaster.

A Universal Basic Income program would provide immediate financial relief to residents and business owners who are still dealing with the aftermath of the wildfires. I urge you to support the passing of this resolution and help Maui take the necessary steps towards implementing a program that can help provide overall well being for our community. Thank you guys.

Zero, thank you Emma. Is there anyone else wishing to testify on Senate Concurrent Resolution 95 or 78 it and by chance anybody else online?

No other members present, Chair.

Okay, thank you. We are going to recess briefly to wait for quorum.

We are reconvening the Committee on Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs on this 27th of March at 4 o'clock in the afternoon in room 016. We have heard and read the testimony for the six resolutions on the agenda, and we'd like to start making some decisions on that. For the first two, Senate Concurrent Resolution 39 and Senate Resolution 23, we would like to pass both of these resolutions out as is. Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes.

For SCR 39 and SR 23, Chair's recommendation is to pass unamended. Chair votes aye. Vice Chair votes aye. [Roll Call] The recommendation is adopted.

Thank you. For the next pair of resolutions, Senate Concurrent Resolution 82 and SR 65. I kind of have a practice of if there's absolutely no testimony for these measures we will defer. So we're going to go on to the next pair of resolutions where they are Senate Concurrent Resolution 95 and Senate Resolution 78. The testimony that was given as well as the written testimony submitted, like to pass this or these two resolutions out as is. Any discussion? If not, Senator Chang, I vote yes.

Chair's recommendation for SCR 95 and SR 78 is to pass unamended. Of the Members present, are there any objections or reservations? Seeing none. The recommendation is adopted.

Great. Thank you very much everyone.