Council stands firm on mayor's rejection of Bill 59, as per earlier decision by Inaba
In a move that has sparked debate within the community, Mayor Kimo Alameda of Hawaii County has vetoed Bill 59, a proposed legislation aimed at regulating pedestrian solicitation by homeless individuals. The bill, which passed with a 7-2 vote by the county council on July 9, sought to prohibit pedestrians from soliciting within 15 feet of a roadway when vehicles are moving, and imposed fines ranging from $250 to $1,000 and community service of 50 to 200 hours for violations, with stiffer penalties for repeat offenses within a year [1][2].
However, Mayor Alameda vetoed the bill on August 6, marking his first veto of his mayoral career. His decision was based on concerns that the law could violate constitutional rights to free speech and lead to legal challenges [3].
Following the veto, Council Chair Holeka Inaba announced that the council will not attempt to override the mayor’s veto. A two-thirds majority is typically required to override a mayoral veto, which means that, at present, the law is not enacted in Hawaii County [1].
The vetoed bill did not specify any exceptions or special cases, and it would have affected pedestrians soliciting on Hawaii County roads. It is worth noting that the bill also applied to situations where vehicles were legally parked [2]. The veto could potentially disrupt "flag stops" on some county bus routes [4].
The decision to veto the bill has been met with mixed reactions from the community. Some community members express disappointment, believing the bill was necessary to address public safety issues related to panhandling. On the other hand, others defend the veto from a civil liberties perspective, with some civil rights groups criticizing the bill as infringing on constitutional rights and an attempt to marginalize poverty [4][5].
This development comes at a time when homelessness and its related issues are a pressing concern in Hawaii County. The veto of Bill 59 highlights the complexities involved in finding solutions to these issues while balancing the rights and safety of all members of the community.
[1] Hawaii Tribune-Herald. (2021, August 10). Hawaii County Council will not attempt to override Mayor Kimo Alameda’s veto of Bill 59. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2021/08/10/hawaii-county-council-will-not-attempt-to-override-mayor-kimos-alamedas-veto-of-bill-59/
[2] Hawaii Public Radio. (2021, July 10). Hawaii County Council passes bill regulating panhandling near roadways. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiipublicradio.org/posts/2021-07-10/hawaii-county-council-passes-bill-regulating-panhandling-near-roadways
[3] Hawaii News Now. (2021, August 6). Mayor Kimo Alameda vetoes bill regulating panhandling. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2021/08/06/mayor-kimo-alameda-vetoes-bill-regulating-panhandling/
[4] Honolulu Civil Beat. (2021, August 10). Hawaii County Council Chair Says He Won’t Try To Override Mayor Alameda’s Veto Of Bill 59. Retrieved from https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/08/hawaii-county-council-chair-says-he-wont-try-to-override-mayor-alamedas-veto-of-bill-59/
[5] Hawaii Free Press. (2021, August 9). Hawaii County Council to not override Mayor Alameda’s veto of Bill 59. Retrieved from https://www.hawaiifreepress.com/2021/08/09/hawaii-county-council-to-not-override-mayor-alamedas-veto-of-bill-59/
- The vetoed Bill 59, initially passed with a majority vote from the county council, sparked controversy within the community, as some perceived it as necessary for public safety, while others saw it as a violation of constitutional rights and an infringement on civil liberties.
- The decision to veto Bill 59 and the subsequent announcement not to attempt an override, led to political discussion and general news regarding policy-and-legislation, with businesses and community organizations expressing their views on the matter.
