Weekly Recap
From Hawaii Family Forum, April 5, 2019
Today is "Decking"
Today, April 5, 2019 is the 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.
Marijuana Decriminalization Okay, but a ban on Flavored Tobacco is Not!
HB 1383, SD 1 decriminalizes the possession of 3 grams or less of marijuana and establish that the possession is a violation punishable by a monetary fine of $30. Provides for the expungement of criminal records pertaining solely to the possession of 3 grams or less of marijuana. Establishes a marijuana evaluation task force to make recommendations on changing marijuana use penalties and outcomes in the State. On April 5, 2019, the Senate Committee on Ways & Means recommended that the measure be PASSED, UNAMENDED. The votes in WAM were as follows: 8 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Keith-Agaran, K. Kahele, Kanuha, Kidani, Riviere, Shimabukuro; Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Fevella ; 2 No(es): Senator(s) Harimoto, Moriwaki; and 3 Excused: Senator(s) English, Inouye, Taniguchi.
STATUS: The bill will now move to the full Senate for a vote.
ACTION: Want to send a message to your Senator asking them to VOTE NO? Click this link.
SB 1009 HD2 bans the sale of flavored tobacco products except for menthol or mentholated products. Prohibits mislabeling of e-liquid products containing nicotine. On April 4, 2019, the Senate Ways and Means Committee DEFERRED the bill.
STATUS: The bill is dead for this session.
Suicide Prevention
HB 655 HD 1 Designates the month of September of each year as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month. On April 4, 2019, Passed Third Reading. Ayes, 22; Excused, 3 (Senator(s) Keith-Agaran, Kidani, Ruderman).
STATUS: The bill has been sent to the Governor for signature.
HB 330 SD1 appropriates moneys for youth suicide early intervention, prevention, and education initiatives in Kauai, Hawaii, and Maui counties. On April 4, 2019, the Senate received notice that the House does not agree to the changes made in the Senate.
STATUS: A conference committee will be appointed to work out the disagreements.
SB 383 HD1 Requires DOE to establish a mandatory youth suicide awareness and prevention training program and model risk referral protocol, based on existing materials created by DOH, for all public schools, including charter schools. Requires charter schools to provide the training program and risk referral protocol to all school personnel who work directly with students in department schools and charter schools, respectively.
STATUS: The bill will now move to the full Senate floor for a vote.
HB 1416 HD 1 establishes a Suicide Prevention Commission to develop a strategic plan to reduce suicides within Hawaii's correctional system. On April 3, 2019, the the Senate Committee on Ways & Means recommended that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WAM were as follows: 10 Aye(s): Senator(s) Dela Cruz, Keith-Agaran, Inouye, Kanuha, Kidani, Moriwaki, Riviere, Shimabukuro, Taniguchi, Fevella;
3 Excused: Senator(s) English, Harimoto, K. Kahele.
STATUS: The bill will now move to a full vote on the Senate floor.
Therapy Ban Passes Full Senate
HB 664 SD1 clarifies that the ban on sexual orientation change efforts applies to conversion therapy practices or treatments that seek to change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity. On April 5, 2019, the bill Passed Third Reading, as amended (SD 1). The vote in the Senate was as follows: Ayes, 24; Noes, 1 (Senator(s) Gabbard).
STATUS: The bill has been transmitted back to the House.
Education on Palliative Care
SB804 HD1 establishes the culturally competent palliative care pilot program within the DOH to provide public education and conduct two home- or community-based palliative care pilot programs. Establishes an advisory group to oversee the pilot program. On April 5, 2019 the bill Passed Third Reading 48 voting yes and 3 Representative(s) Eli, Mizuno, Nishimoto excused.
STATUS: The bill has been transmitted to Senate.
Upcoming Legislative Deadlines
APR 11 -- SECOND CROSSOVER (BILLS) Deadline for bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber and to "cross back" to the originating chamber.
APR 11 -- 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 a "conference" committee to reconcile their differences.
APR 15 -- SECOND LATERAL FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS All concurrent resolutions with multiple referrals must move to their final committee in the non- originating chamber by this date.
APR 18 -- DEADLINE FOR FINAL FORM OF BILLS PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS A proposed amendment's final form must be provided by written notice to the Governor at least 10 days prior to passing final reading by a 2/3 vote in each chamber. Once adopted by the Legislature, the proposed amendment is submitted to the voters, in the form of a 'yes or no' question on the ballot, for ultimate decision.