Agreement reached on Akaka Bill

FYI, Sen. Akaka press release:

Today U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye announced that they have reached an agreement with Governor Linda Lingle that will secure the Governor’s full support for the Native Hawaiian Government Reorganization Act.  […]

Senators Akaka and Inouye will offer an amendment that will make changes affecting the powers and authorities of the Native Hawaiian governing entity during the period before legislation is enacted to implement agreements reached during three party negotiations.

[…]

The amendment will make changes to Section 9 of the bill.  The changes will ensure that during the interim period the Native Hawaiian governing entity will be subject to the state’s regulatory authority affecting public health and safety, until a temporary agreement is reached between the entity and state and approved by the Secretary of the Interior.  It will also make clear that the Native Hawaiian governing entity’s officers and employees will not be immune from the state’s criminal laws.