CIRA de CASTILLOTGI Staff Writer LIHU’E — County leaders are lobbying Gov. Ben Cayetano to sign a bill that would require the state to indemnify the county against lawsuits that could arise from the actions of county employees on state
CIRA de CASTILLOTGI Staff Writer
LIHU’E — County leaders are lobbying Gov. Ben Cayetano to sign a bill that
would require the state to indemnify the county against lawsuits that could
arise from the actions of county employees on state property.
The measure
was designed to allow the counties to place lifeguards on state beaches without
the threat of liability.
Kathleen Racuya-Markrich, Cayetano’s press
secretary, said that the bill (SB2001) is currently under administrative review
and has yet to touch down on the Governor’s desk.
Racuya-Markrich said
during the administrative review process various departments comment on the
bill.
The bill and comments are forwarded to the governor for his review
and he decides what action he will take.
The governor can sign the bill
and it becomes law, veto the bill and return it to the Legislature where it
would take a two-thirds vote of the full body to override the veto or not take
any action on the measure and the bill automatically becomes law.
The bill
was sent to the Governor on April 14.
Earl Anzai, state attorney general,
is on record as opposing the bill because it requires the state to provide
indemnification to the counties.
Mayor Maryanne Kusaka and County Council
Chair Ron Kouchi sent a letter to Cayetano urging him to view the measure as an
interim solution and allow the counties to place roving lifeguards where they
are most needed on Kaua’i beaches.
Since 1970, 193 people have drowned at
Kaua’i beaches, 150 died on state beaches.
