WEEKLY RECAP

from Hawaii Family Forum, April 1, 2023

Assisted Suicide Expansion Bill Easily Passes Final Senate Committee

HB 650 HD2 SD1, the bill to remove safeguards on assisted suicide, passed its final committee.

We submitted testimony in opposition.

The final version, which passed unamended by the Senate Judiciary Committee, includes some revisions (excerpt from the final committee report submitted by the Senate Committee on Human Services and Senate Committee on Consumer Protection):

[a]mending the definition of "counseling" to include consultations provided by an advanced practice registered nurse or clinical nurse specialist licensed under chapter 457, Hawaii Revised Statutes, with psychiatric or mental health training; and marriage and family therapist licensed pursuant to chapter 451J, Hawaii Revised Statutes; clarifying that, if the qualified patient's attending provider attests that the qualified patient will, within a reasonable medical judgment, die within five days after making the initial oral request, the mandatory five-day waiting period shall be waived; and finally, inserting language clarifying that if any provision of this the measure, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of the measure that can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, to the end that the provisions of the measure are severable; 

The vote in the Senate Judiciary was as follows:

3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Elefante, San Buenaventura; 
2 No(es): Senator(s) Gabbard, Awa

We appreciate the no votes of Senator(s) Gabbard and Awa.

STATUS:  The bill will now move to the full Senate for a vote for 3rd Reading.  

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

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. 

APR 13 – LAST DAY FOR THE ORIGINATING BODY TO DISAGREE WITH BILL AMENDMENTS – The deadline for the originating chamber to disagree with changes made to its bills by the other chamber. When the Senate and House disagree on a bill, members from each chamber can meet in conference committees to reconcile their differences.

Triple "F" Show: Faith and Family First

Department of Justice's Attack on Parents

Originally aired:  March 31, 2023

Jim and Eva dive into the controversial topic of why parents at school board meetings have been labeled as "domestic terrorists" by the FBI. Building on their earlier discussion in episode 2, they examine a newly released congressional interim report that sheds light on why the FBI's characterization of dissenting parents as terrorists was more political than based on any real security concerns. Jim and Eva deftly analyze the report and unpack the key issues, questioning whether the issue was simply manufactured to impact the election cycle. If you're curious about this timely and heated topic, tune in to this engaging episode that will leave you with fresh insights and perspectives.

WEEKLY WORD OF HOPE

Holy Week Next Week

As this week comes to a close, I am mindful of the week that is coming up.  In recent conversations, I have noticed a swell of anxiety, fear, anger and other strong emotions as the tide of our nation pulls out to sea (sort of like what we see before a tsunami!).  My dad, who was born and raised on Maui, can remember watching the ocean recede in the tsunami that happened on April 1, 1946 as he was on his way to school.

Many fear the coming tsunami of war, a tanking economy, civil unrest, distrust of the government, and many other issues.  I have heard these concerns from people of both major political parties but I have also noticed that there is a HOPE that transcends this fear. 

As people of faith, the coming week reminds us that adversity will be overcome.  We have read the end of the book and we know how the story ends!

Fear will be alleviated because perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18).  We know this with certainty, because Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33)

No matter the tide we face, we serve the One who walked on water and calmed the storm.  Amen and Amen.