Its expected passage of some 200 bills will be overshadowed by the absence of any bill on three high-profile issues: no-fault auto insurance reform, the elimination of the "high three" pension perk for lawmakers and same-sex marriage, which provided much of the drama and debate during the four-month legislative session.
Those bills died Friday night when House and Senate negotiators couldn't reach compromises before a midnight deadline to have bills in their final form so that lawmakers can vote on them today.
Auto insurance reform became a casualty because the Senate was adamant in its "pure no-fault" approach, which critics said favored insurance companies. The House plan provided for lawsuits, and that approach favored lawyers, critics contended.
"This is the price of democracy," House Speaker Joe Souki (D, Wailuku) said yesterday, explaining the demise of the auto insurance reform measure. "If this was a totalitarian system, the House would have prevailed, and we would have had a bill."
Still, despite Republican assertions that this was a do-nothing session that requires an extension so that the Democratic majority can provide the solutions it promised, Souki and several other Democrats said there is much they can point to with pride.
There were no hikes in the personal income or general excise taxes, said Souki and House Finance Chairman Calvin Say (D, Palolo Valley).
They and Senate President Norman Mizuguchi (D, Aiea) said lawmakers managed to shape a supplemental budget and related budget bills that covered a $165 million shortfall.
The House managed to hold the line on the University of Hawaii budget, although the Senate and Gov. Ben Cayetano wanted it cut 15 percent, Souki said.
First-term Rep. Eric Hamakawa (D, Hilo) said it was a plus that legalized gambling was rejected. Legislative leaders, however, said the gaming issue will be back next year because the state desperately needs new revenue sources.
Democratic lawmakers said this election-year session can be noted for its tough anti-crime package that includes measures that impose stronger penalties for manslaughter, repeat offenders and the manufacturing and distribution of "ice," or crystal methamphetamine.
Another high point is the limited immunity that the counties will be getting from beach accidents if county officials post warning signs, they said.
But, added first-term Rep. Ed Case (D, Manoa), echoing some of the concerns voiced by his GOP counterparts, "On balance, we did not address the issues the general public wanted us to address. The two most important: auto insurance reform and the 'high three.'
"We also did not address restructuring the economy. Our budget simply buys us time without addressing some serious problems: growing fixed costs in government and simplifying the functions of government to fit a reduced revenue stream."