Weekly Recap
From Hawaii Family Forum, February 10, 2018
Bills Fast & Furious
Many bills are moving through the legislative process. This weekly report is sent as an overview of bills that moved this week and bills scheduled for hearing next week. When action is required, we will send an alert specifically on the bill.
Suicide Prevention Bills Continue to Move
Two more bills to lower suicide rates in Hawaii passed the House Health Committee on Thursday, February 8, 2018. We strongly supported both bills.
The votes on HB2169 (appropriates 25k for Maui for education) were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Mizuno, Kobayashi, Belatti, Learmont; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Tupola.
The votes on HB2278 (Establishes a suicide prevention task force to develop a strategic plan to reduce suicide in Hawaii by 25% by 2025) were as follows: 4 Ayes: Representative(s) Mizuno, Kobayashi, Belatti, Learmont; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Tupola.
Take Action!
There's NO Aloha in SUICIDE! Sign our Petition Today!
Sign our online petition to say yes to suicide prevention and no to assisted suicide. It's common sense. You can also download a PDF petition to distribute in your community.
What's Coming Up?
40 Days for Life
Pro-Life Resources in Hawai'i
Government to Control Homeschooling Parents?
Homeschooling parents are very concerned about a bill that is scheduled for hearing next week Wednesday. A joint hearing of the Senate Education and Senate Human Services has been confirmed for Wednesday, February 14 at 2:55 p.m.
SB2323, if passed, will establish procedures for a parent or legal guardian to obtain authorization to home school a child. It also requires the complex area superintendent or the complex area superintendent's authorized representative to request child welfare services to conduct a child abuse and neglect history inquiry and provide information to the department of education to conduct a background check before approving or denying a notification of intent to home school. It also provides authorization for a parent or legal guardian to petition the family court if the notification of intent to home school is denied.
Marijuana Brownies, Cakes, Chewing Gum and Drinks???? Really?
Two bills popped for hearing next week that will ADD marijuana edibles to current law. We warned you two years ago that this would happen. Although we understand the discussion around medical treatment, we remain strongly concerned about the ongoing protection of our keiki. Remember the child in Colorado who just a few short weeks ago brought what she thought was candy to school and caused other children to get ill?
SB2132 (Relating to Manufactured Cannabis Products - Introduced by Senators GABBARD, ESPERO, KIM, Baker, S. Chang, Ihara, Nishihara, Riviere, Tokuda) which authorizes the department of health to authorize companies to partner with medical cannabis dispensaries to participate in the manufacture of consumable manufactured cannabis products. Establishes additional requirements and amends existing requirements regarding manufactured cannabis products.
SB 3053 (Relating to Cannabis Products - introduced by ESPERO, GABBARD, RUDERMAN, S. Chang, English, Galuteria) defines edible cannabis products as manufactured cannabis that is intended to be used for human consumption and provides manufacturing requirements for edible cannabis products. Authorizes licensed medical cannabis dispensaries to manufacture and distribute edible cannabis products. Establishes requirements for manufacturing, handling, and packaging manufactured cannabis products. Takes effect on 01/01/2020. (This bill ads "edible cannabis products including but not limited to chewing gum, drinks, baked products, and candy...)
When dispensaries were created a few years ago, our fear, and that of the law enforcement community, was that "baked products, including but not limited to baked bars, brownies, cakes and cookies" would end up in the hands of our keiki. Regardless of protective "package labeling." We were told it wouldn't happen. Really?
We will be tracking these two bills and will keep you posted as they move.
Upcoming Legislative Calendar
FEBRUARY 16, 2018
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.
FEBRUARY 22 - 28, 2018
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.
MARCH 2, 2018
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.
MARCH 8, 2018
FIRST CROSSOVER (BILLS) - 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.
From Around the Nation
Hawaii Congressional Members Split on Budget Bill
In bipartisan efforts, the Senate voted 71-28 to pass a budget deal that will raise caps on spending by $300 billion over two years. The Senate approved the deal at about 1:30 a.m. Friday. Senator Schatz was a yes vote and Senator Hirono was a no vote.
The House passed it 240-186 around 5:30 a.m. Representative Tulsi Gabbard was a no vote and Rep. Hanabusa was a yes vote.
Read recent commentary by Heritage Foundation senior policy analyst in fiscal affairs, Justin Bogie.