2008 Legislative Session: Final Actions
Governor Lingle delivered her final veto messages on Tuesday, wrapping up the Lingle-Aiona Administration's open and comprehensive review of 294 bills passed by the Legislature during the 2008 legislative session. This year, Governor Lingle signed more than 240 bills into law.
Governor Lingle signs two bills to protect and support foster children and the families who care for them during a bill signing ceremony in June.
The legislative session will be remembered for the successful passage of several bold initiatives introduced by the Lingle-Aiona Administration to improve residents' quality of life, achieve energy independence and build an innovation economy.
These include bills that help to boost renewable energy production to advance goals set forth by the Administration's Hawai`i Clean Energy Initiative, improve management of our precious natural resources, facilitate the State's plan to acquire and preserve the Turtle Bay property on O`ahu's North Shore, and fund needed improvements to our state's harbors.
When the session ended on May 1, the Administration began a careful, 45-day review process of bills. This process included the consideration of more than 1,900 email, fax and phone call comments that were received from businesses, industry and professional associations, nonprofit groups and community organizations statewide. In addition, the Administration solicited input from the counties, legislators, law enforcement agencies and state boards and commissions.
"I appreciate the public's participation in this open process," said Governor Lingle."It gave people a chance to voice their points of view, and in some instances, we heard new information about the merits or drawbacks of some of the bills which had not been previously raised."
On July 8, the Governor submitted a final list of 41 vetoes for reasons including significant negative impacts on the public, budgetary implications, legal or constitutional concerns, potential unintended consequences, micromanagement of department operations and efforts to usurp the executive branch's authority.
As the Lingle-Aiona Administration prepares for the 2009 legislative session, the Governor will continue working with partners in the public and private sectors to improve the quality of life for Hawai`i residents with a steady focus on increased energy independence and emphasis on innovation.
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Read more about new laws enacted, as well as the Governor's statements of objection on the 2008 legislative webpage.
