GOVERNOR LINGLE SIGNS TWO ADDITIONAL BILLS ON POTENTIAL VETO LIST

For Immediate Release:  July 7, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle today signed two bills that she was considering vetoing, while using her constitutional authority to line-item veto unbudgeted appropriations in these bills.

Based on discussions Governor Lingle held with members of the House and Senate, she signed one bill to develop a plan to return female inmates currently housed in mainland facilities, and a second measure to improve caregiving in Hawai‘i.  Earlier today the Governor line-item vetoed appropriations contained in the bills because they were not included in the state’s biennium budget and fall outside of the six-year balanced budget plan.

“I appreciate the willingness on the part of legislators to meet with me to address my concerns regarding these measures and to hear their views on the importance of the legislation,” said Governor Lingle.  “While both of these bills have merit and will become law, because of the State’s current fiscal position I am not able to approve funds contained in these measures.”

The two bills Governor Lingle signed are:

SB2082 SD2 HD1 CD1 requires the Department of Public Safety (PSD) to develop a plan by January 1, 2009 to ensure that female inmates returning to Hawai‘i have adequate accommodations and programs to allow them to successfully reintegrate into the community. 

Governor Lingle supports efforts to return female prisoners when it is in their best interest to do so.  However, a return of all female prisoners will have to wait until adequate facilities are constructed, which is currently not within the State’s fiscal resources. 

This bill included a $100,000 unbudgeted appropriation for the PSD to prepare the plan; however the department is being asked to do the work within their current resources.

SB2830 SD2 HD2 CD1 contains a number of provisions aimed at addressing issues associated with caregiving in Hawai‘i.  The bill continues the work of the Joint Legislative Committee of Caregiving, renaming the committee to focus on aging in place.  The bill also instructs the Executive Office on Aging to continue their cash and counseling programs and respite care inventory. 

The bill contained a $500,000 unbudgeted appropriation to expand the Kūpuna Care program, which already receives an annual budget of $4.9 million.  An additional $525,000, also outside of the annual budget, was included in Act 204 of 2007.  An additional $289,000 to increase payments to residential adult care homes will remain and become law, in recognition of the increased costs these important care homes are experiencing.

SB2082, will become Act 219 and SB2830 will become Act 220.  Both new laws take effect immediately.

Read the Governor's statement of concerns for SB2830 and SB2082.

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For more information, contact:

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043