Measures to reform Hawaii’s cash bail system and limit the types of renewable energy projects that can be built in the islands are not likely to become law, Gov. David Ige said Monday.
Those measures, which both created public uproars after the legislative session ended in May, are among 30 bills on the list of measures Ige plans to veto. He has until July 12 to decide what measures should ultimately be struck down. However, he indicated Monday that the bail bill, House Bill 1567, and the energy bill, Senate Bill 2510, would most likely be killed.
On the bail issue, a coalition of county mayors, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies launched a campaign to convince the governor to veto a measure that they believed could lead to a rise in crime.
SB 2510 was pushed through the session with the help of influential lawmakers. It was seen as a measure that could benefit the Hu Honua tree-burning plant on the Big Island. State regulators have rejected the plant’s plans several times over the years, most recently on Friday.
The measure requires 33% of renewable energy to be generated by what is called “firm renewables,” primarily generators burning things like wood, renewable natural gas and biodiesel. Ige said that could hamper Hawaii’s energy goals by limiting the types of projects that could be built on each island.
“I think the measure is just misguided,” Ige said. “I was trying to to find a reason to support the measure. I could not find a single reason to support SB 2510.”
The House is still reviewing the governor’s list, Speaker Scott Saiki said in a statement. The Legislature has until July 12 to decide if it will try to override any of the governor’s vetos.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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Blaze Lovell is a reporter for Civil Beat. Born and raised on Oahu, Lovell is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. You can reach him at blovell@civilbeat.com.