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Sunday, February 10, 2019
Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review
By Hawaii Family Forum @ 4:26 PM :: 4801 Views :: Family, Life

Weekly Recap 

from Hawaii Family Forum Feb 9, 2019

PPGNHI (Planned Parenthood) Has Plans for Hawaii

In Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Island's own words, they state they are working in Hawaii to "... expand access to safe, legal abortion by advancing comprehensive coverage of reproductive health care, including abortion - regardless of income, immigration status, or gender identity."

So, it is not surprising that they made sure that HB1184 (the Infants Born Alive Act) was held "killed" in committee. 

The bill was held by the House Health Committee on February 7, 2019.   The votes (to kill the bill) were as follows:

6 Ayes (kill the bill): Representative(s) Mizuno, B. Kobayashi, Belatti, San Buenaventura, Say, Tokioka;

1 Noes (not to kill the bill): Representative(s) Ward;

1 Excused: Representative(s) Nakamura.

American's United for Life lists Hawaii as #46 for states that protect life above only New Jersey, Vermont, California and Washington.

Marijuana Lighting Up the Capitol

Hawaii Family Forum has been busy testifying against several bills to either legalize marijuana use outright, or to decriminalize it.  Below are several bills that moved this week.

HB 1383 Relating to Marijuana

On February 8, 2019, the House Judiciary Committee deferred decision making (again) on HB1383 which decriminalizes the use of marijuana.

STATUS:  Decision making has been pushed back to February 13, 2019.  The time of the hearing has not been posted as of this writing.

ACTION:  Continue calling the members of the House Judiciary Committee and ask them to VOTE NO on HB1383.  

Talking points:

Penalties, or even the threat of them, frequently spur individuals struggling with addiction or substance abuse to get the treatment they might never seek or receive on their own. 

The enthusiasm of advocates for decriminalized and regulated drugs should be tempered by the nations skyrocketing use of opioids. These are legal, highly regulated drugs, dispensed under supervision and yet we have a soaring problem with its availability.

Hawaii's keiki already are experimenting with vaping at a higher number than the mainland.  Will marijuana be the next youth vaping problem?

HB434 Relating to Marijuana

HB 434 (Relating to Marijuana) reclassifies specific low-level marijuana offenses as non-criminal violations subject to a fine, which shall be deposited into the Special Fund for public education and awareness programs aimed at reducing the use of harmful drugs.

STATUS:  The bill was deferred by the joint hearing of the House Health and Public Safety, Veterans and Military Affairs on February 5, 2019.

SB 606 Relating to Marijuana

SB 606 (Relating to Marijuana) repeals all criminal penalties regarding marijuana except with regard to furnishing marijuana to a minor.   

STATUS:  It was deferred by the Senate Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military  Affairs Committee on February 5, 2019.

SB686 Relating to Marijuana

SB 686 (Relating to Marijuana) legalizes the personal use, possession, and sale of marijuana in a specified quantity. Requires licensing to operate marijuana establishments. Subjects marijuana establishments to excise taxes and income taxes.

STATUS:  On February 7, 2019, the committee(s) on Senate Judiciary Committee recommended that the measure be PASSED UNAMIMOUSLY WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in JDC were as follows:

5 Aye(s): Senator(s) K. Rhoads, Wakai, Gabbard, Kim, Fevella; 

The bill will now move to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Suicide Prevention Bill Allocates 25k for Kauai and Big Island!

SB 226 (Relating to Suicide Prevention) Appropriates moneys for youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives in Kauai and Hawaii counties.  Hawaii Family Forum strongly supported this bill.  

On February 6, 2019, the Senate Committee on Consumer Protection and Health recommended that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPH were as follows:

6 Aye(s): Senator(s) Baker, S. Chang, J.Keohokalole, Ruderman, L. Thielen, Fevella;

Excused: Senator(s) Nishihara.

STATUS:  The bill will now move to the Senate Ways & Means Committee.

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

FEB 15

FIRST LATERAL (BILLS)

All bills referred to more than one committee (i.e., those with multiple referrals) must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by this day.

FEB 21 - 27

MANDATORY 5-DAY RECESS

Hawaii's Constitution mandates a 5-day recess between the 20th and 40th days of the regular session. Neither the House of Representatives nor the Senate convene or assemble formally in chamber on recess days. Committee hearings do take place.

MAR 1

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.

From Around the Nation

Louisiana Abortion Law Blocked - Temporarily

Washington, D.C. - On Thursday, February 7, 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked enforcement of a Louisiana law requiring abortionists to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of where they perform abortions. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals had previously ruled in favor of the Louisiana law, which was introduced in 2014 by Democratic State Representative Katrina Jackson and passed by overwhelming bipartisan majorities(88-5 in the House and 34-3 in the Senate). The case is June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Gee.

What's Coming Up?

40 Days for Life

The 40 Days for Life Spring 2019 Campaign is scheduled for March 6th - April 14th at Planned Parenthood, 1350 S. King St. Honolulu. (They are working on opening their new location on Beretania St. sometime in the near future, so our location may change. We will keep you informed.) 

Our Planning Meeting will be on Saturday, February 16th, at 10:00am on the lanai at Calvary Chapel Honolulu (98-1016 Komo Mai Dr., Aiea).  Anyone who wants to attend is welcome.

The calendar is open on the 40daysforlife.com/honolulu website, so please log on and fill in the dates and hours you plan to go pray. The Spring 2019 flyer is there also, if you want to download and print.

Our opening Rally will be on Saturday, March 9th, from 9:00-12:00.  Please join us for this event. 

If your church would like us to give a 40DFL announcement and/or set up a display table, please call Tracey Whitehurst at 808-754-7427. 

Marriage Week

WASHINGTON-February 7-14 marks the annual celebration of National Marriage Week USA. World Marriage Day is celebrated annually on the second Sunday of February. This year, World Marriage Day is Sunday, February 10.

National Marriage Week USA and World Marriage Day are opportunities for building a culture of life and love that begins with promoting and defending marriage and the family.

Here are some resources for churches:

USCCB Resources

National Marriage Week Resources

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