Testimony, January 23 - February 5, 2014

HB 1415, Relating to Service by Publication
HB 2275, Relating to Mortgage Rescue Fraud
HB 2513, Relating to Mortgage Foreclosures
SB 2072, Relating to Service of Process
SB 2545, Relating to Universal Children's Savings Accounts
SB 2825, Relating to Mortgage Rescue Fraud

Dr. Richard Creagan Appointed to State House of Representatives

Dr. Richard Creagan was appointed by Governor Neil Abercrombie to replace Rep. Denny Coffman, who resigned last year.  Dr. Creagan will represent Naalehu, Ocean View, Capt. Cook, Kealakehua, and Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

Click here to view Governor Abercrombie's press release.

Act 208 (2010), Relating to Private Guards

Effective July 1, 2013, Act 208 (2010) establishes new registration and licensure requirements, including training, instruction, and continuing education for guards and individuals acting in a guard capacity. Your League has been researching the possible effects of this law on credit unions. If your credit union employs a “security officer” or “guard,” that person will need to be registered and licensed by the Board of Private Detectives and Guards.  Currently, guidelines and definitions are being developed by the Board of Private Detectives and Guards, which is a Board under the Professional and Vocational Licensing Division of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Click here to read the entire memo.

2013 End of Session Report

In a year that marked progress of a slowly recovering economy as well as leadership changes in the Senate and House of Representatives, your League was successful in holding off serious threats to credit unions and other businesses. Although there were still many bills designed to protect consumers on the table this legislative session, potential harm to credit unions was kept to a minimum. Most importantly, the credit union general excise tax exemption on purchase of tangible personal property, which was suspended in 2011, will be reinstated on July 1, 2013.

Click this link to view the 2013 end of session report.

Live Bills as of 4-4-2013

Click the link below to view all legislative measures still alive as of April 4, 2013.  Legislative deadline of second decking is Friday, April 6, meaning that all bills must pass out of their respective chambers by that date, or they are considered dead for this legislative session.  Most bills that pass by the deadline on Friday will go into conference committee.

Live Bills as of 4-4-13

Testimony for March 18-19, 2013

HB 634 HD1 - Relating to Employment.  Establishes job security requirements upon the divestiture of a covered establishment if the covered establishment employs 100 or more persons. Effective July 1, 2030.

SB 470 SD1 - Relating to Credit Cards.  Prohibits retailers from imposing credit card surcharges in certain instances. Effective 07/01/2050.

SB 102 SD2 - Relating to the Elderly.  Amend section 412:3-114.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to require financial institutions to report instances of suspected financial abuse of an elder directly to the appropriate county police department and the Department of Human Services.

HB 535 HD2 - Relating to Homeless Programs.  Authorizes the designation of temporary nighttime parking lots in each county to provide safe overnight parking for homeless individuals who live and sleep in their motor vehicles and who would otherwise park overnight on public or private roads or property. Appropriates funds. Effective July 1, 2030.

Testimony, March 11-14, 2013

SB 1370 SD2 - Relating to Mediation Affecting Judicial Foreclosure.  Expands the application of mandatory mortgage foreclosure dispute resolution by requiring mortgagees, at the mortgagor's election, to participate in mediation to avoid foreclosure or mitigate damages from foreclosure prior to filing a judicial foreclosure action for property that has been the mortgagor's primary residence for a specified period. Applies the dispute resolution requirement to judicial foreclosure actions filed prior to the effective date of this bill and pending an initial court hearing. Exempts the dispute resolution requirement to judicial foreclosure actions if the mortgagee engages in loss mitigation procedures with the mortgagor. Establishes notification requirements for a mortgagee to notify a mortgagor with respect to loss mitigation options. Requires that an attorney affirm that a mortgagee engaged in loss mitigation procedures with the mortgagor when filing for a judicial foreclosure action.

HB21 HD2 - Relating to Condominiums.  Amends procedures for reimbursement for common assessments by condominium associations after delinquency or foreclosure. Authorizes collection of specified amounts for deposit into a reserve account to pay for unpaid common assessments in the event of foreclosure, or unit sale or transfer.

SB 960 SD1 - Relating to Foreclosures.  Establishes a notice of postponement or cancellation of sale requirement under part IA, chapter 667, Hawaii Revised Statutes, relating to judicial foreclosures.