Aloha,

Here are some of the things I've been working on at the Capitol.

Legislation Takes Aim at Graffiti
Graffiti is a big problem all over our community. I wanted you to know that there are two bills moving forward at the Legislature to address this problem. SB 676 was authored by Senator Clarence Nishihara who was assisted by Mr. Malcolm Ching, the General Manager of the Community Association, and his fellow members of Take Action Against Graffiti (T.A.A.G). This bill would require a tagger to complete 80 hours of community service for a 1st offense and 160 hours for a 2nd or subsequent offense to remove graffiti at other locations. It would also make the tagger pay for the paint and materials to do the job.

A similar bill, SB 228, would require the minor or his parents to remove the graffiti from the affected property within 60 days and do 80 hours of community service removing graffiti. As a member of the Judiciary and Labor Committee (JDL), I had an opportunity to support both these bills when they passed JDL and the Senate. If you would like to get involved and testify in support of these bills, please contact my office and I'll let you know how you can weigh in.

Gabbard Bills Pass Senate Unanimously
I was happy to see two bills that I introduced, SB 1891 and SB 1617, pass the Senate unanimously on March 6, 2007. Both of these bills would help better protect our community. SB 1891 would allow the Department of Land and Natural Resources to make arrests, confiscate vehicles, and issue criminal citations to address the problem of ATVs and other vehicles creating a safety hazard for families, desecrating native Hawaiian burial grounds, and causing environmental damage to our beaches.

I introduced Senate Bill 1617 after meeting with a Kapolei resident late last year. I was shocked to learn that a homeowner could be sued by an intruder if the perpetrator is injured while trying to rob you and harm your family. This bill would provide homeowners immunity from civil liability in these types of cases. Both these bills have crossed over to the House for their consideration.

Talk Stories
I'll be hosting talk stories in both Kunia and Kapolei in April. On April 14th, Representative Sharon Har and I will be co-hosting a talk-story in Kunia. Please contact my office for the date and time if you plan on attending. On April 28th, we'll meet at the Kapolei Starbucks (outside seating, near the Chevron Station) at 9:00am. I hope to see you there!

Please contact me if I can help you in any way. My phone number is 586-6830 and email is sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov. Mahalo for the privilege of serving you!