About Karl

STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

• Elected in 2006

• Committees
     Vice-Chair, Human Services and Housing
     Finance
     Health
     International Affairs

• 2008 Legislation Karl Introduced:
     HB 2515 - Provides $26 million to finalize the sale of Kukui Gardens to the State, thus preserving these units as affordable housing. Status: Made a part of HB 2500 (the State Budget).
     HCR 215/HR 182 - Requests that the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation create a master plan to redevelop the area of Kukui Gardens and Mayor Wright Homes to increase the number of affordable housing units. Status: Passed House and Senate.
     HB 1984 - Prohibits consumption of alcohol in common areas of public housing complexes. Status: Companion Senate Bill SB2141 introduced by Senator Chun Oakland signed into law.
     HB 1978 - Prohibits public urination and defecation in Downtown Honolulu. Status: Signed into law.
     HB 3002 - Increases penalties for “johns” for third and subsequent convictions of soliciting a prostitute. Status:  Signed into law.
     HB 1979 - Would have limited the time the State can demand repayment of wages it overpaid to employees. Current law limits the time an employee can correct an underpayment to two years while the State has no time limit for collecting overpayments. Status: Passed House.
     HB1982 - Would have authorized use of anonymous “mystery shoppers” to investigate the quality of service  provided by state agencies. Status: Passed Committees on Labor & Public Employment and Legislative Management.
     HB 1985 - Would have specified that a person remaining on the premises of a public housing project after being warned to leave by a proper authority commits a criminal trespass. Status: Passed Human Services and Housing Committee.
     HB 2263 - Would have authorized the regulation of harbor noise. Status: Vetoed by Governor.
     HB 2732 - Would have increased the affordable housing requirement for major developments in Kakaako. Status: The Senate companion, SB 2294, passed both Senate and House.
     HB 3001 - Would have allowed individuals to sue for excessive noise. Status: Passed Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.
     HB 3251 - Would have provided tax relief for construction of affordable housing and community health facilities near transit stations. Status:  Companion bill SB 3165, authored by Senator Fukunaga, passed both Senate and House.

• Named Freshman Legislator of the Year for 2007 by the University of Hawaii Professional Assembly.

• 2007 Legislation Karl Introduced:
     HB 667 - Provides $125 million in general obligation and revenue bonds for the purchase of the Kukui Gardens workforce housing complex. Status:  Signed into Law.
     HCR 292 - Designates the Nuuanu - Liliha area as a historic corridor.  A bipartisan effort to improve funding opportunites for historic preservation. Status: Passed.
     HB 320 - Increases funding for security at Mayor Wright Homes. Status:  Passed House.
     HB 330 - Would have increased penalty for third and subsequent convictions for prostitution. Status: Passed House. (See also 2008 Bill HB 3002 above)
     HCR 214 - Would have encouraged the City & County of Honolulu to limit property tax increases to no more than 10% per year. Status: Passed Human Services and Housing Committee.
     HCR 63 - Would have required the Department of Land and Natural Resources to determine ownership of privately owned, but publicly accessible lanes in the 28th District. Status: Passed House.
     HB 325 - Would have expanded dental care for lower income adults. Status: Passed House and Senate.
     HB 1805 - Would have required the return of an old car battery when purchasing a new one to reduce environmental hazards. Status: Passed Energy and Environmental Protection Committee.

Link to State Legislature Website

COMMUNITY SERVICE

• Downtown Neighborhood Board, 10 years

• Chinatown Citizens Patrol, 12 years

• Pacific Gateway Center Board of Directors, 4 years

• Honolulu Tower Board of Directors, 4 years

• Sheridan Citizens Patrol, 2 years

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

• Legislative Aide, Rep. Marilyn B. Lee, 6 years

• Small business owner (solo law practice), 4 years

• Law practice, Perkin & Hosoda, 2 years

• Legislative Assistant, U.S. Rep. Eliot L. Engel, 3 years

• Legislative Aide, U.S. Rep. Louise M. Slaughter, 2 years

• Intern, U.S. Senator John F. Kerry

EDUCATION

• J.D., George Washington University (with Honors), 1996

• Summer clerk, Judge Corinne K.A. Watanabe (Intermediate Court of Appeals), 1995

• M.A., University of London, Soviet & Eastern European Area Studies, 1987

PERSONAL

• Happily married to Cindy McMillan for 14 years

• Basketball team, University of London, 1986-87