Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) - chair: Will Espero, vice chair: Rosalyn H. Baker Senate Committee on Economic Development, Government Operations and Housing (EGH) - chair: Donovan M. Dela Cruz, vice chair: Sam Slom Senate Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs (PSM) - chair: Will Espero, vice chair: Rosalyn H. Baker

Wednesday, April 2, 2014, 2:05 p.m., Room 325

Testifier: Janet F. Mason, Co-Chair, LWV of Hawaii

Click here to view HB193, HD1

Chairs Solomon, Dela Cruz, and Espero; Vice-Chairs Galuteria, Slom and Baker and Committee Members: This is a “Gut and Replace” bill. The original SB41 was introduced in 2013, and the SB41, SD1 version of the bill was deferred by the House Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee after a hearing on March 13, 2013. The original purpose of the bill was to clarify the activities custodians or caretakers may engage in under chapter 467, Hawaii Revised Statutes. The measure was carried over to the 2014 session, and SB41, SD1 version of the bill was repurposed to be an Act that would allow the Real Estate Commission to waive one year of the three -year experience as a full-time Hawaii licensed real estate salesperson associated with a Hawaii licensed real estate broker requirement, with proof of full-time experience in the real estate field for five years up to the time of experience certification. If the House passes this measure in its new SB41 SD1, proposed HD1 version it will apparently go to a conference committee before the Senate has had an opportunity to study the new bill, or hear from the public on the new bill. “Gut and replace” actions undermine public confidence in government. In order for citizens to participate actively in the legislative process, they need to be sure the process is working in a fair and transparent way. For this reason, the League of Women Voters of Hawaii opposes SB 41, HD1, Proposed SD1. Thank you for the opportunity to submit testimony.