It’s time to take a look at some of the “packages” of bills introduced this year and how different interests are faring. I’ll just pick a few.

First, here’s a link to the list of 2011 packages, so that you can do your own browsing.

The Campaigns Spending Commission is 2 for 3 at this point. The commission introduced three bills, with versions in House and Senate. The Senate has taken no action. In the House, one bill has been deferred. Another one–HB 257 HD1–was approved by the Judiciary Committee and is scheduled to be heard by FIN on Tuesday, 03-01-11 12:00PM in House conference room 308.

Provides regulation of automated phone calls, changes report filing deadlines, provides a cap of $ on the price of fundraiser tickets that may be purchased with campaign funds, and applies notice and disclaimer requirements to an advertisement that is not paid for by an independent party. Effective January 7, 2059. (HB257 HD1)

The third bill, HB 258 HD1, passed the House and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor (JDL). The bill amends the timetable for filing campaign spending reports, but fails to address the problem with elections held by mail, where the extended early voting starts before campaign disclosures have to be filed.

The State Ethics Commission package consists of four bills, again with both House and Senate versions. On bill seems relatively sure to pass the Senate, while a second still has a chance in the House, but could get bogged down in Finance.

SB 994, which would create a prohibition against nepotism, was approved by the Senate JDL committee and now goes for a full Senate vote.

HB 251 HD1 was approved by the House Judiciary Committee, but has a second referral to the Finance Committee, where it has not been set for a hearing. The bill require mandatory ethics training by certain high-level state administrators.

Only one of the three bills in the Hawaii Council of Mayors’ package is alive. HB 587 HD1 authorizes counties to appoint or remove their liquor administrators. It passed the House Labor Committee and is scheduled to be heard in Finance on Monday.

Five of the six bills making up the Judiciary package are moving in the House, including the Judiciary budget.

The House Minority package includes 16 bills, 14 died of which died without a hearing. HB 450 was deferred after a hearing before the Labor Committee, and the last measure, HB475 was passed in amended form by the Committee on Economic Revitalization & Business, although the committee report indicates problems. It is now pending in Finance, but has not been scheduled for a hearing.