Weekly Recap March 10. 2017

Yesterday was Crossover

Thursday, March 9, 2017, was the deadline for bills to pass third reading in order to move (or "crossover") to the other chamber. If successful, House bills are sent to the Senate and Senate bills are sent to the House for further consideration.  That means that hearings will begin again in the new chamber.

Upcoming Legislative Dates:

March 15, 2017

Last day for third reading of the budget bill in order to move to the other chamber.  

March 16, 2017

All bills referred to three or more committees must be in their second-to-last committee in the non-originating chamber by this date. (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 by the Second Lateral deadline.

March 20, 2017 Resolution Cutoff

Friday, March 20, 2017 is the last day to introduce substantive resolutions.  Resolutions are legislative measures which may request action of a government entity or state the legislature's position on an issue. They don't have the force and effect of law, require only one reading in chamber, and don't enroll to the Governor.

March 24, 2017

Second Lateral

All bills with multiple referrals must move to their final referral committee in the non-originating chamber by this date.

Senate Passes Assisted Suicide

The Senate passed the assisted suicide bill on Tuesday, March 7, 2017.  Review the vote here.   Although testimony in both committees were overwhelmingly in opposition, you wont hear that in the media or even in the committee reports.  Two independent counts were completed to reflect the numbers indicated by the Senate Judiciary and Labor Committee.  Both reported over 300 testimonies submitted in opposition.  The committee report only indicates 70 testimonies.  Basically, the leaders decide which submitted material can be classified as support or opposition. 

Want to know which groups are pushing assisted suicide?  The committee reports the following (emphasis mine): "Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Center for Nursing; Women's Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Hawaii Association of Professional Nurses; Democratic Party of Hawaii; Akamai Glass Company; American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai'i; Americans for Democratic Action Hawaii; Chamber of Commerce of Persons with Disabilities; Compassion and Choices; Death with Dignity National Center; Filipino-American Advocacy Network; First Unitarian Church of Honolulu; Hawaii Advocates for Consumer Rights; Hawaii Death with Dignity Society; Hawaii Friends of Civil Rights; Ho'omana Pono, LLC; International Longshore and Warehouse Union, Local 142; LGBT First Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Straub Clinic and Hospital"

ACTION:   Visit this link for action and to download resources.

Senate Passes "Bully Bill"

On Tuesday, March 7, 2017, the senate passed the bill (SB 501 SD1) that would force faith-based pregnancy centers to violate their conscience by promoting abortion and contraceptive services.  In other words, promote access to Planned Parenthood.  See the vote here.  |  Read more on Pregnancy Help News

Want to know which groups are behind this bill?  The committee reports the following: (emphasis mine)  "Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women; American Association of University Women of Hawaii; American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Hawaii Section; Hawaii Women Lawyers; Hawaii Women's Coalition; Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii; LBGT Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii; Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii; and twenty-two individuals. 

Your Committee received written comments in opposition to this measure from Calvary Chapel Pearl Harbor; Concerned Women for America of Hawaii; Emmanuel Lutheran Church and Schools; Hawaii Catholic Conference; Hawaii Family Forum; Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui; A Place for Women in Waipio; The Pregnancy Center; and fifty-three individuals."

Take action, click here.

What's Coming Up?

What 'War Room' Was to Prayer, 'Slamma Jamma' is to Redemption

You may have heard of 'SLAMMA JAMMA', the high-profile, faith-based basketball movie that hits theaters nationwide March 24.

The film is scoring the highest ratings at early screenings.

Inspired by the true story of a man who finds Christ in prison and wins the National Slam Dunk Competition on an Impossible Dunk Under Impossible Situations.

Pastors everywhere are supporting this powerful, evangelical film from the same promoters of 'War Room'. This film is the perfect movie to bring an unsaved loved one - a recent screening had everyone in tears. Grown men cried. It's that redemptive.

"One of the best faith-based sports film of all time" is the sentiment we're getting everywhere across America.

The director of 'Slamma Jamma' was baptized by Chuck Smith in Pirate's Cove in Laguna, and he and his wife attend Calvary Chapel Honolulu with Pastor Bill Stonebreaker.

For a list of theaters, please go to: http://slammajammamovie.com/theaters.php

'SLAMMA JAMMA' - In Theaters Nationwide March 24 - BELIEVE AND YOU WILL SOAR.