Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi (District 8 - Kaua'i, Ni'ihau) issued the following statement regarding Governor Josh Green's line-item veto of HB 300 and his intention to veto bills:
"After receiving the Governor's line-item veto of HB 300 and the list of bills that he intends to veto, the Senate Majority Caucus met and, after discussion with House Speaker Scott Saiki, the Senate has determined that it will not reconvene to override any vetoes by Governor Green.
Although there will be no override session, it is hoped that Governor Green will work expeditiously to administratively address matters contained in vetoed bills.
For example, HB 1090 (relating to ocean recreation commercial permits), was passed to further manage Hawai'i's natural resources with an eye toward expanding regenerative tourism. The Legislature passed HB 1090 with the strong support of Governor Green's Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) in active cooperation with the Ocean-Tourism Coalition, to craft a measure curbing unchecked and "rampant commercial marine activity taking place in the State near-shore waters."
If HB 1090 is vetoed, it is incumbent upon DLNR to immediately develop and implement rules and regulations to properly manage our coastal waters that HB 1090 sought to achieve."