Abortion Bill Clears Final House Committee

from Hawaii Family Forum, March 17, 2023

Legislative Session News

All bills referred to three or more committees must be heard and passed out of the first committee so that they can be in their second-tolast committee in the non-originating chamber the following day. (Note: A referral to a joint committee counts as one committee referral.) This deadline allows ample time for successful bills to make their way to their last committee in the non-originating chamber by the Second Lateral deadline.

That means that bills with multiple referrals of three or more, that have not been scheduled for hearing, are dead for this session.  Keep in mind that we have a bilateral session so next year bills can pick up right where they left off.

WEEKLY RECAP

Unamended Abortion "Monster" Bill Passes Final Committee: Will now head to the full House

SB1 SD2 (Relating to Healthcare) easily passed the final House Committee(s) on March 15, 2023.   I call this bill the "monster" bill because it has added language (over 40 pages) to protect medical providers that perform abortions. 

We submitted testimony in opposition.

There were several people who showed up to provide testimony in opposition. This is not an easy thing to do when you are outnumbered so a shout out to those individuals who called, sent email and came to show their support for life!

The committee on JHA recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 
The votes were as follows: 
7 Ayes: Representative(s) Tarnas, Takayama, Ganaden, Holt, Ichiyama, Ilagan, Mizuno
2 Noes: Representative(s) Kong, Souza; and 
1 Excused: Representative(s) Hashimoto.

The committee on HLT recommend that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. 
The votes were as follows: 
6 Ayes: Representative(s) Belatti, Takenouchi, Amato, Ilagan, Mizuno, Nishimoto; 
1 Noes: Representative(s) Garcia; and 
1 Excused: Representative(s) Kobayashi.

We truly appreciate the no votes of Representative(s) KONG, SOUZA and DIAMOND.  If you are in their district, please contact them and thank them for their vote.

STATUS:  The bill will now move to the full House for a vote.  If it passes (and we anticipate it will), it will go straight to the Governor because the bill in its current version, has already passed the Senate.  Please be watching for our final alert that will allow you to send a message directly to your Representative.

This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the amendments made to section 457-12(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, by section 10 of this Act shall not be repealed when that section is reenacted on June 30, 2023, pursuant to section 6 of Act 66, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017. [Language taken directly from the bill]

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

MAR 24 – 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, March 23.) 

MAR 28 (SENATE) AND 31 (HOUSE) – FIRST LATERAL FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – All concurrent resolutions with multiple referrals must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by these dates. (Note: HCRs must be filed by March 30.) 

APR 5 – FIRST CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – Deadline for concurrent resolutions to pass the required single floor vote in the originating chamber. Upon adoption by the originating chamber, concurrent resolutions move or "crossover" to the other chamber. (Measures must be filed by Tuesday, April 4.) 

APR 6 – SECOND DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for bills that have been amended by the non-originating chamber to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of that chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48-hour opportunity for final review by the non-originating chamber’s members before third reading. (Note: House Bills with only a single referral need to be filed by the committee by April 5.) 

APR 13 – SECOND CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber and to “cross back” to the originating chamber.

Triple "F" Show: Faith and Family First

We can't stop talking about it

Originally aired: March 16, 2023

In this week's episode of the FFF podcast, Jim and Eva continue their discussion on abortion legislation in Hawaii. The hosts dive into the details of SB1 SD2, which recently passed the Senate with overwhelming support. Through a line-by-line breakdown of the bill, Jim and Eva shed light on the inconsistencies present in the text. Additionally, they explore the relationship between SB1 and SB1167, highlighting the impact of these bills on the pro-life movement. This episode offers valuable insights into the legislative process and the complexities of the abortion debate. Don't miss out on this informative and thought-provoking discussion!

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HOUSE REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING SAFE ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE CARE

from House Democratic Caucus, March 17, 2023

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1 SD2 for third reading today, ensuring women in Hawai‘i have access to safe reproductive health care following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson. With the bill passing third reading in both chambers, the measure now heads to Governor Josh Green’s desk for his signature.

“It is imperative that we strengthen the state’s policy to affirm protection of the rights of individuals to obtain reproductive care,” said Majority Leader Nadine K. Nakamura (D-15 Hāʻena, Wainiha, Hanalei, Princeville, Kīlauea, Anahola, Keālia, Kāpaʻa, portion of Wailuā, Kawaihau). “Today’s vote ensures the protection of our daughters, sisters, and our future generations.”

Senate Bill 1 SD2 establishes that the state will not deny or interfere with a person’s right to an abortion and prohibits releasing information about reproductive health care services. The measure also allows licensed physician assistants to perform certain abortions and shields medical providers in Hawai‘i from legal action from other states.

"I am deeply grateful for the broad community support for Senate Bill 1 SD2 both in the House and Senate. We heard directly from nurses and doctors how important this measure is to their ability to practice medicine. I am proud to stand by Hawai‘i's health care providers and ensure that they are protected from out-of-state litigation and are able to care for our families," said Representative Linda Ichiyama (D-31 Fort Shafter Flats, Salt Lake, Pearl Harbor).

“Senate Bill 1 SD2 modernizes our statutes to align with medical standards of care and protect the private health care choices that are best made between a patient and their health care provider,” said Representative Della Au Belatti, (D-26 Makiki, Punchbowl) who serves as the Chair of the House Committee on Health & Homelessness.

“The House reaffirms its commitment to protecting a woman's right to reproductive freedoms in the state of Hawai‘i,” said Speaker Scott K. Saiki (D-25 Ala Moana, Kaka‘ako, Downtown).