2022 Legislative Session Update
From Honolulu Republican Party, Feb 4, 2022
HONOLULU COUNTY TRACKING REPORTS
2022 Monitor Report
(List of all bills we are monitoring)
2022 Committee Report
(List of all bills with upcoming committee hearings)
2022 Deferred Report
(List of all bills deferred in committee)
Note: These reports update automatically within 24hrs of action, so bookmark and refresh weekly.
We are 17 days through the 31st Legislature. The "People's" building is still closed and it doesn't look like Senator Kouchi, Speaker Saiki or Governor Ige are interested in opening it up.
January 26th was the last day to introduce new bills, total number of bills submitted or carried over from 2021 is 5060 (2369 House and 2691 Senate). This equates to an estimated 46 bills per Representative and 108 bills per Senator.
Upcoming Key Dates
MAR 10 – FIRST CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to pass third reading in order to move (or “crossover”) to the other chamber. If successful, House bills are sent to the Senate and Senate bills are sent to the House for further consideration.
MAR 11 – LAST DAY TO INTRODUCE SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTIONS – Concurrent resolutions (HCRs and SCRs) require adoption in each chamber and are used to state the official position of the Legislature on an issue, or to request action formally without having to mandate it by law. They require only one vote in each chamber for adoption, and do not enroll to the Governor.
MAR 16 – BUDGET CROSSOVER – Last day for third reading of the budget bill, to move to the other chamber.
From our friends at Grassroot Institute Hawaii
Truly disappointing this year is that, even though the state has a $3 billion budget surplus, there still are many bills seeking to increase our taxes. Proposed under the guise of financial need, "tax fairness" or whatever, the sponsors of these bills seem oblivious to Hawaii's true economic condition, which is shaky after almost two years of varying degrees of coronavirus lockdowns that continue to this day.
Half a month into the 2022 legislative session, the Grassroot Institute has testified on measures that would increase the state minimum-wage , reform the state's emergency powers law (with suggested amendments) and initiate a massive "ALOHA homes" government housing project . To read our testimonies on each of the bills, click on the bill numbers.
Other bills we have given "" are:
>> SB2441, which would add a 10 cents-per-drink surcharge on the state’s existing liquor tax.
>> SB3182, which would establish a wealth asset tax of 1% on all taxpayer assets, except for real property, with a value in excess of $20,000,000 for taxpayers filing jointly or $10,000,000 for all other taxpayers.
>> SB3250 which would establish a 5% income tax surcharge on individuals making more than $5 million a year or estates and trusts with more than $200,000 in annual income and give Hawaii the highest income-tax rate in the country.
Bills we have given "" include:
>> HB1919, which would provide a general excise tax exemption for food, medical services and feminine hygiene products.
>> HB1965, which would reform the practice of asset forfeiture in the state.
>> SB3176, which would allow Hawaii’s counties to adopt rules for the construction of fourplex dwellings on any land zoned for residential use where single-family dwelling units are permitted.
From our friends at Hawaii Firearms Coalition
GOOD NEWS! We defeated SB 3043 which required in-person inspections for firearms registration. The Senate PSM committee deferred the measure, likely killing it for the year. We suspect our allies Sen Riviere, DeCoite, and Fevella helped with that. We had around 230 written testimonies opposing the measure, and just a small handful supporting it. We thank you for your support!
BAD NEWS! The sister bill, HB 2075, has a hearing on Tuesday 2-8-22 in the House JHA committee. It is the same wording as SB 3043 for registration. Please submit testimony again for this House JHA hearing. You can copy and paste the same testimony, just revise it for the House. Our best chance to defeat it is to call the Chair Mark Nakashima’s office, especially if you live on the big island his district, 808-586-6680 repnakashima@capitol.hawaii.gov District 1 Hamakua, North Hilo, South Hilo.
This bill:
Increases the Handgun permit expiration date from 10 days to 30 days - SUPPORT, but still OPPOSE the overall bill
Removes inspection of firearms received from an FFL – We already won this in the lawsuit.
Violates the Federal decision in Yukutake v Connors. Requires in person firearm registration and inspection by the police for:
a. Out of state firearms brought into Hawaii - OPPOSE
b. Private person to person sales. - OPPOSE
c. "ghost guns" - OPPOSE
Priority deadline for testimony Monday February 7 at 2pm. Testimony after 2pm will be considered LATE and may not be provided to committee members in time for the hearing.
HB2075: Text, Status
Monitor HIFICO Bill Tracker >>> here <<<.
From our friends at Hawaii Family Forum Action Center
HB1823 Relating to Health
Authorizes advanced practice registered nurses, in addition to physicians, to practice medical aid in dying in accordance with their scope of practice and prescribing authority. Authorizes psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, in addition to psychiatrists, psychologists, and clinical social workers, to provide counseling to a qualified patient. Reduces the mandatory waiting period between oral requests from twenty days to fifteen days. Waives the mandatory waiting period for those terminally ill individuals not expected to survive the mandatory waiting period.
VOTE IN COMMITTEE: On February 1, 2022, the committees on Health, Human Services and Homelessness recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 6 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamane, Tam, Gates, Kapela, Nishimoto; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Har; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Ward.
Hawaii Family Forum testified in opposition to this measure. We appreciate the lone "no" vote, Rep. Gene Ward.
STATUS: The bill will now move to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.
HB 1697 Relating to Sexual Health Education
Requires DOE to provide comprehensive training for teachers and educational officers on sexual health topics that include positive and accurate representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender identities and persons of color communities, to destigmatize and promote sexual health. Requires sexual health programs to include similar sexual health topics to destigmatize and promote sexual health.
VOTE: On February 1, 2022, the House Committee on Education recommended that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 10 Ayes: Representative(s) Woodson, Kapela, Belatti, Clark, Ganaden, Hashimoto, Ohno, Takayama, Yamane; Ayes with reservations: Representative(s) Gates; 2 Noes: Representative(s) Quinlan, Okimoto; and Excused: none.
We appreciate the no votes of Rep. Quinlan and Rep. Okimoto. It seems like an uphill battle when the DOE, DOH, Hawaii Youth Services Network, American Academy of Pediatrics, Hawaii Chapter, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION or School Psychologists, Planned Parenthood, Pacific Survivor Center, and Assets High School push for passage.
STATUS: The bill will now go to the House Committee on Finance. DOE is asking for funding to provide the services required by the bill.
From our Friends at Hawaii Family Advocates
SB 3089 Relating to Emergency Management
This bill amends chapter 127A, Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS), to clarify State and local authority, ensure effective and adaptable emergency response, and further the goals of transparency and democratic accountability. Clarifies that powers granted for emergency purposes shall not be construed as permitting actions inconsistent with the state constitution. Amends chapter 127A, HRS, to provide for greater clarity and specificity regarding the scope of suspensions of law. The Senate Committee on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on 02-08-22 1:00PM; Via Videoconference.
STATUS: The committee on PSM has scheduled a public hearing on Tuesday 02-08-22 1:00PM; Via Videoconference.
ACTION: We are asking you to submit testimony on this bill asking the legislature to AMEND THE BILL TO BE A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT. Visit the HFA website and you can read a copy of my testimony when it is posted. (Probably after Tuesday). View suggested language at this link.
UPDATE on SB 2018 Relating to Minimum Wage
In just 7 days (from Introduction to 3rd reading floor vote), SB 2018 was passed through two committees and received a Senate floor vote to be the first bill passed to the House, well before the first crossover on March 10th. SB 2018 is the minimum wage bill, that by 2026 will raise the minimum wage to $18. The lone voice of reason in the Senate floor debate was Senator Gil Riviere, who also was the lone no vote.
Video: Senate Committee on Labor, Culture and Arts (LCA) January 24
Video: Senate Committee on Ways and Means (WAM) January 27
Video: Senate Floor Vote 3rd Reading January 28
STATUS: SB 2018 has crossed over to the House on January 28, where it is pending First Reading and Committee assignments.