Tax refund, aerospace, ethanol top '07 session

A look at some of the bills passed by the Legislature on the final day of the 2007 session. All measures go to Gov. Linda Lingle for consideration.

» Senate Bill 148: Gives taxpayers a refund through a tax credit for those with an adjusted income under $60,000. The tax refund is required by the state Constitution because of growth in general fund revenues in the last two fiscal years.

» SB 907: Establishes the Office of Aerospace Development to identify and promote opportunities for expanding and diversifying aerospace-related industries in the state.

» SB 1365: Requires the Employees Retirement System to report annually to the Legislature on any Hawaii venture capital investments. If the board determines it is not prudent to invest in any Hawaii venture capital, its rationale must be reported to the Legislature.

» SB 1792: Authorizes the establishment of regional system boards under the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. The measure also sets forth the powers, duties, rights and obligations of the regional boards.

» House Bill 226: Establishes state policy to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to their 1990 levels or below by 2020. Establishes a task force to plan a regulatory scheme to achieve those limits.

» HB 249: Promotes hunting tourism by authorizing issuance of three- and seven-day hunting licenses for private and commercial shooting preserves. Allows the state to set fees for private and commercial shooting preserves.

» HB 843: Allows the Hawaii Health Systems Corp. to acquire Kahuku Hospital on negotiated terms.

» HB 1008: Creates a three-year pilot program to expand health care coverage for children living in Hawaii.

» HB 1757: Restores a general excise tax exemption on gasoline blended with ethanol, estimated at about 10 cents a gallon at current prices. The exemption would take effect July 1.