WEEKLY RECAP
from Hawaii Family Forum, March 3, 2023
Suicide Prevention for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
HB622 HD2, Relating to Suicide Prevention, was heard on Tuesday, February 8 in the House Finance Committee. This bill makes permanent the prevent suicide Hawaiʻi task force within the Department of Health. Requires the task force to focus on reducing the suicide rate among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the State. Requires reports to the legislature.
We submitted testimony in support.
The votes in the House Finance Committee were as follows:
16 Ayes: Representative(s) Yamashita, Kitagawa, Aiu, Chun, Cochran, Garrett, Kahaloa, Kila, Kobayashi, Lamosao, Morikawa, Nishimoto, Poepoe, Takenouchi, Alcos, Ward
STATUS: The bill will now move to the full House for a vote. This bill should have no trouble passing so please let me know if you want to contact your Representative and ask them to vote YES on HB622 HD2.
Abortion & Reproductive "Freedom"
On Wednesday March 1, the abortion bills handily passed their final Senate Committees.
SB1, SD1 Relating to Health Care, had decision-making only in the Senate Judiciary Committee. This bill is a "monster bill" with 43 pages of everything including the kitchen sink. If passed, the bill will do these things:
Authorizing licensed physician assistants to perform certain abortions;
Repealing the requirement that abortions be performed in a hospital licensed by the Department of Health or operated by the federal government or an agency thereof, a clinic, or an office of a physician or osteopathic physician;
Declaring that a law of another state that authorizes a person to bring a civil action against a person who terminates or seeks to terminate a pregnancy; performs or induces the termination of a pregnancy; knowingly engages in conduct that aids or abets the performance or inducement of the termination of a pregnancy; or attempts or intends to engage in these acts, is contrary to the public policy of the State and shall not be enforceable in, or afford any basis for the granting of legal or equitable relief by, any court of the State; and
Prohibiting the State from taking certain actions with regard to civil and criminal actions from another state, including issuance of and enforcement of summons, subpoenas, and investigations related to reproductive health care.
We submitted testimony in opposition. We appreciate the no votes of Senators Gabbard and Awa.
The committee(s) on JDC recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows:
3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Elefante, San Buenaventura;
2 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard, Awa;
The bill will now go to the full Senate for a vote. Please watch for our action alert so that you can contact your own Senator and ask them to vote NO on SB1 SD1 when it goes to the full Senate for vote. This will be the one time everyone who lives in Hawaii will be able to raise your voice with your own Senator. Even if they choose to support this bill, remember, they represent you too.
SB 1167, SD1 was heard in the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday. This bill will enshrine "reproductive freedom" into the Hawaii State Constitution. It will also put a question on the ballot for voters to decide YES or NO!
We submitted testimony in opposition. We appreciate the NO vote of Senator Fevella.
The committee(s) on WAM recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows:
12 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Keith-Agaran, Aquino, DeCoite, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee, Moriwaki, Shimabukuro, Wakai
1 No(es): Senator(s) Fevella
The bill will now go to the full Senate for a vote. Please watch for our action alert so that you can contact your own Senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 1167 SD1.
Recreational Marijuana - Senate Support
SB375 SD1 Relating to Cannabis was heard by a joint committee of the Senate Judiciary and the Senate Ways and Means on Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
We submitted testimony in opposition.
STATUS: This bill was deferred by the Senate Ways and Means and the Senate Judiciary Committee. Looks like the Senate focus will be on the bill below.
SB 669 SD1 Relating to Cannabis was heard by a joint committee of the Senate Consumer Protection and the Senate Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, March 1, 2023. This bill, if passed will create regulations for the cultivation, sale, and personal use of 30 grams (about one ounce) of cannabis. [That means anywhere from 30 or more "joints."] Decriminalizes and regulates small amounts of cannabis for personal use. Establishes taxes for cannabis sales.
We submitted testimony in opposition. We appreciate the NO votes of Senators Inouye and Moriwaki.
The votes in WAM were as follows:
10 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Keith-Agaran, DeCoite, Kanuha, Kidani, Kim, Lee; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Aquino, Wakai, Fevella ;
2 No(es): Senator(s) Inouye, Moriwaki; and
1 Excused: Senator(s) Shimabukuro.
The votes in CPN were as follows:
4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, McKelvey, Awa;
Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Richards ;
0 No(es): none;
1 Excused: Senator(s) Fukunaga.
STATUS: The bill will now move to the full Senate for a vote. Please watch for our action alert so you can contact your own Senator and ask them to vote NO on SB 669 SD1.
Upcoming Legislative Deadlines
MAR 3 – FIRST DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of the originating chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48-hour opportunity for final review by the chamber’s members before they are asked to vote on the third reading. Note: A bill must pass three readings (votes) in each chamber before being enrolled to the governor. (Note: Senate Bills with only a single referral need to be filed by the committee by March 2.)
MAR 9 – 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 10 – 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.
Triple "F" Show: Faith and Family First
Facing the Giants!
Originally aired: March 2, 2023
Eva and Jim explore the parallels between the biblical story of David and Goliath and the challenges faced by Christians in today's political landscape. Drawing on their extensive knowledge of the Bible and politics, they examine how David relied on God's wisdom and power to defeat Goliath and we can apply this lesson to overcome the political giants we face today.
* * * * *
YOU CAN RAISE YOUR VOICE EASILY BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW
from Hawaii Family Forum, March 6, 2023
The bills listed below are going to be voted on tomorrow so your contact is needed today. Please take a moment and click the links below. You will be able to connect directly with your own Senator even if you don't know who they are.
If these bills pass the full Senate tomorrow, they will crossover to the House and the process will begin again.
If you click the buttons below, you will be able to send a message directly.