Opinion ID: 2633532
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: The 1999 Report

Text: In 1999, the Panel submitted to the legislature its Report to the Governor and the 1999 Hawai`i Legislature. Therein, the Panel reported that: Despite losing almost a year of productive time due to Act 382[, which created the Working Group,] and the [W]orking [G]roup's recommendations, the Panel has made significant progress in reviewing claims. As of December 31, 1998, the Panel and its staff had either closed or issued recommendations on 2,050 claims, representing 47% of the total number of claims filed. The Panel's cumulative recommended damages awards for all years totals $16,434,675.75. While the claims process has moved forward, 53% of the claims filed with the Panel still remain to be reviewed. Consequently, the Panel anticipates asking the 1999 Legislature for another extension of time to complete the review of all claims. (Emphasis in original.) The 1999 Legislature rejected proposals from the Attorney General and other State officials to amend chapter 674 to implement the limitations on awards recommended by the Working Group, i.e., to exclude the waiting list claims. Instead, the Legislature passed House Bill No. 1675 (H.B. 1675), which extended the notice, filing, and Panel report deadlines by one year, to allow additional time for all claims to be reviewed. However, then-Governor Benjamin Cayetano vetoed the bill. Gov. Msg. No. 241, Statement of Objections to [H.B.] 1675, in 1999 House Journal, at 882. In vetoing H.B. 1675, Governor Cayetano essentially concluded that the administrative process was not working and that it would take more than an additional year for the Panel to complete its work, which he deemed totally unacceptable.