UPDATED with video summary report, above.

(BIVN) – The Hawaiʻi County Council voted on Friday to advance Bill 108, the measure regulating short term vacation rentals on the Bi Island, on to second reading.

Once again, the council heard hours of public testimony, with most residents opposed to different provisions in the bill.

The bill advanced with some minor changes. The law will now go into effect 180 days after April 1st, giving the Planning Department time to develop and approve its own rules of procedure under the bill.

Puna councilowman Eileen O’Hara was unable to get councilmembers to support her amendment to exempt the Puna district from the regulations for 5 years. Councilmembers reasoned that an amendment to the general plan was the more appropriate avenue for such a change.