Aloha Oahu Republicans, March 21, 2021
We are less than 30-days to "Sine Die," if we are lucky, the good will outweigh the bad when it's over!
Key Hearings This Week
SB134 (Prohibits the governor or the mayor from suspending requests for public records or vital statistics during a declared state of emergency.) - We SUPPORT this bill. Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-23-21 2:00PM in House conference room 325 Via Videoconference.
SB167 (Establishes green infrastructure objectives, policies, and priority guidelines for state facility systems, infrastructure, and transit projects in the Hawaii State Planning Act to improve the quality of life for residents and visitors) - OPPOSE - This bill will cost taxpayers billions as the State pushes their mini-New Green Deal. Bill scheduled to be heard by EEP on Tuesday, 03-23-21 10:00AM in House conference room 325 Via Videoconference.
SB560 (Establishes ranked choice voting for special federal elections and special elections of vacant county council seats) - OPPOSE - Bill scheduled to be heard by JHA on Tuesday, 03-23-21 2:00PM in House conference room 325 Via Videoconference.
SB1004 (Requires the department of education to include the teaching of financial literacy in the personal/transition plan requirement for each student.) - We fully SUPPORT this bill. Bill scheduled to be heard by CPC on Tuesday, 03-23-21 2:00PM in House conference room 329 Via Videoconference.
Other Bills We Are watching
HB103 (Clarifies that the powers granted for emergency purposes shall not be inconsistent with the state constitution) - We oppose this bill because it states, "if the legislature fails to take action on the governor's request by a concurrent resolution before the expiration of the state of emergency, the state of emergency shall automatically be extended for sixty days." This does not solve the concerns that the emergency orders raised during the pandemic, which resulted in hundreds if not thousands of small business to shutter and the hundreds of thousands laid off. It continues to give the Governor a broad power without a definitive check from the legislature.
HB 576 HD3 (Authorizes advanced practice registered nurses to perform medication or aspiration abortions) - Passed both committees assigned and will crossover back to the House.
The committee(s) on CPN recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in CPN were as follows: 5 Aye(s): Senator(s) Baker, Chang, Misalucha, Nishihara; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) San Buenaventura ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Riviere, Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.
The committee(s) on HTH recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in HTH were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Baker, Moriwaki, San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 0 Excused: none.
HB891 (Electric gun, repeals ban w/restrictions.) - Passed Senate committee assigned and will crossover back to the House.
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Kim, Lee; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Acasio ; 1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella; and 2 Excused: Senator(s) Keohokalole, Gabbard.
SB56 (Increases the personal income tax rate for high earners and corporate income tax) - This bill is most likely to not pass, since it was assigned to four committees in the House, which historically is a sign there is little support for it's approval.
SB 767 SD2 (Legalizes the personal use, possession, and sale of cannabis in a specified quantity.) - This bill is most likely to not pass, since it was assigned to three committees in the House, which historically is a sign there is little support for it's approval.
SB 839 SD2 (Authorizes advanced practice registered nurses, in addition to physicians, to practice medical aid in dying). This bill is most likely to not pass, since it was assigned to four committees in the House, which historically is a sign there is little support for it's approval.
COMMITTEE HEARINGS CONTINUE!
Watch House and Senate committee hearings live or recorded via Youtube.
Now is the time to take action and let your voice be heard with testimony in the committee hearings which begin meeting this week!
Committees
Legislative Session - In light of the City and County of Honolulu’s current COVID-19 restrictions, please be advised that this year there will be no in person hearings or access to legislators at the capitol building.
Senate First Crossover (Senate Bills Sent to House)
House First Crossover (House Bills Sent to Senate)
Resolutions
Legislative Calendar
(https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/docs/SessionCalendar.pdf)
MAR 22–BUDGET DECKING – Deadline for submitting the budget bill for third reading. (Changed from Mar 15.)
MAR 23(SENATE) AND 24(HOUSE) – FIRST LATERAL FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – All concurrent resolutions with multiple referrals must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by this day -- Mar 23 for SCRs, Mar 24 for HCRs.
MAR 24–BUDGET CROSSOVER – Last day for third reading of the budget bill, to move to the other chamber. (Changed from Mar 17.)
MAR 25–SECOND LATERAL(BILLS) – All bills with multiple referrals must move to their final referral committee in the non-originating chamber by this date. (Note: Committees must file their committee report with the bill by the previous day.)
HONOLULU CITY COUNCIL
Become A Citizen Activist
Becoming an effective citizen activist, you must learn how to track a measure you’re interested in and know how and when to submit testimony. That requires knowing how our State Legislature works. Click HERE to prepare yourself for the 2021 Legislative Session.