2020 LEGISLATIVE SESSION - WEEK 1
From Honolulu Republican Party
On Wednesday January 15th, the 30th Legislature of the State of Hawaii opened. In typical fashion the rotunda of the capitol was a flurry of activity, while lawmakers conducted the 'Order of the Day' in their respective chambers.
Representative Gene Ward, said the chamber’s five Republicans will focus on public safety to fight an apparent increase in crime in certain neighborhoods. He also called for an end to gut and replace, a practice in which the lawmakers replace a bill’s contents with contents of another bill. A case is now pending in the Hawaii Supreme Court that could halt that legislative practice.
Senator Fevella, said he would oppose any raise of any transient accommodation tax.
4,161 bills and resolutions (including carry-overs from 2019) have been recorded as of January 20, 2020.
MEASURE TRACKING
HEARING NOTICES
See Committee report HERE.
Make sure you don’t miss a chance to offer testimony on bills that interest you. List of present and future hearings can be found at >>> "upcominghearings”.
TESTIMONY
Testimony for legislative measures scheduled for hearing by the House or Senate should be delivered at least 24 hours prior to the hearing and may be submitted in person, by fax, or electronically as indicated on the hearing notice.
Testimony for legislative measures scheduled for hearing by the House or Senate may be submitted electronically through the Hawaii State Legislature's website at www.capitol.hawaii.gov by clicking on the button marked "Submit Testimony" and following the on-screen instructions.
Testimony for legislative measures scheduled for hearing by the Senate may also be faxed to 586-6659 (Oahu) or 1-800-586-6659 (Neighbor Islands).
SENATE HEARING LATE TESTIMONY - Testimony received after the 24-hour deadline will be posted to the Capitol website within 24 hours after the hearing has adjourned and may be marked as "late".
HOUSE HEARING LATE TESTIMONY - Staff will try to incorporate additional testimony received within 24 hours of the hearing if possible. The hearing committee will post testimony received "on-time" to the Capitol website at the beginning of the hearing. Testimony received after the 24-hour deadline may be marked as "late" but will be posted to the Capitol website as soon as possible following the hearing. Testimony submitted after the hearing will not be considered or posted.
LEGISLATIVE CALENDAR
JAN 21 – STATE-OF-THE-STATE ADDRESS – The Governor’s annual address to the assembled joint legislature. The address presents an opportunity for the Governor to report on affairs of state, and to put forth recommendations and initiatives. Many visitors come to the Capitol to hear the Governor’s speech and witness the proceedings from the gallery (accessible on the ground floor/atrium level).
LAST DAY TO INTRODUCE ADMINISTRATION BILL PACKAGE – This is what is known as the “Governor’s Package.” The bills are prepared by executive branch agencies for consideration by the legislature and are introduced on behalf of the executive branch by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. View the package of legislation by clicking on the "Reports and Lists" button on capitol.hawaii.gov and selecting "Measures by Package."
JAN 23 – LAST DAY TO INTRODUCE BILLS – A bill is “introduced” when it has been filed with the House or Senate Clerk, who gives it a number (with an HB or SB prefix) and then puts it on the calendar for First Reading by the chamber. After First Reading, it is given its committee referrals which specify which committees must hear and pass the measure for it to succeed. Only legislators may introduce bills. [Note: At introduction, each bill is given a “Bill Status” webpage that can be accessed via the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov) and used to track all the measure’s activity.]
Full Calendar is available HERE.