Bill would allow industrial hemp research
Two state Senate committees have given initial approval to allow privately funded industrial hemp research.
The approvals Monday afternoon come after a House committee passed a measure last week to establish a pilot program using industrial hemp to get rid of toxins in soil.
Sen. Will Espero, a Democrat who authored the Senate bill, says industrial hemp research could help Hawaii enlarge its economy.
Espero says hemp has the potential to spur a variety of industries ranging from agriculture to fashion.
"You can even build a house out of hemp today," Espero (D, Ewa Beach-Iroquois Point) said. "I saw something on YouTube recently."
Law enforcement officials oppose the bill, saying the law would make it harder for them to regulate marijuana.
The Maui Police Department submitted testimony saying that it doesn’t have enough resources to deal with monitoring private hemp research facilities.
The Legislature is also considering a bill to legalize marijuana. The House Committee on the Judiciary held a hearing Friday addressing marijuana legalization and will make a decision about the bill Thursday.
Espero says industrial hemp research is a separate issue.
Earned Income Tax Credit worth filing for
With the start of the tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding working families to check to see whether they can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Roughly 1 in 5 people eligible for the credit miss out each year. In Hawaii last year, more than 100,000 families claimed the credit, saving an average of $2,100 each.
The credit varies by income, family size and filing status. A married couple filing jointly with two qualifying children may earn up to $47,162 and be eligible for the credit.
"About a third of the people eligible for EITC changes every year, probably because they get a job or lose one, have a child or change their marital status," said David Tucker II, IRS spokesman.
To determine whether you qualify for the credit, visit IRS.gov/eitc and answer questions through the EITC Assistant. Even workers who are not normally required to file tax returns must do so to claim the credit.
Free help in filing taxes is available through "FreeFile" at IRS.gov or at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites.
