Left to right: Representative Gene Ward (District 17), Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45), Representative Andria Tupola (District 43), Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50), and Representative Bob McDermott (District 40).
Aloha mai!
It has been great seeing some of you at the Capitol and getting involved in the legislative process. First crossover is two weeks away! It is not too late to come and make your voice heard on House bills coming through committees! All House bills are in their final committees, they have until March 8th to pass out of their last committee and pass third reading to cross over to the Senate.
COME AND TESTIFY!
Here is an ***UPDATE!*** to the bills introduced by members of our Republican Caucus that are moving through the legislature:
HR 4 - URGING THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO REDUCE WAIT TIMES FOR HOUSING CONSTRUCTION PERMITS
Reducing Permitting Delays for Housing Construction.
This is a resolution from our caucus package. It passed, as is, and is awaiting a hearing in CPC. Please submit testimony in support of this resolution. For more information about submitting testimony, click here.
HB 2631 - RELATING TO THE ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM
Enhances the electronic prescription accountability system to inform prescribers of the percentile ranking of their opiate prescription practices as compared to their peers. (HB2631 HD1)
Primary Introducer: Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45 - Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, Mililani)
Passed out of its final committee, as is; will go to the floor for third reading.
HB 2632 - RELATING TO HOUSING ON AGRICULTURAL LAND
Establishes requirements, conditions, and restrictions for farm dwellings and employee housing on agricultural land. Limits farm dwellings and employee housing on agricultural land to farmers and employees and immediate family members. (HB2632 HD2)
Primary Introducer: Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45 - Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, Mililani)
Passed out of its second committee with amendments. Awaiting a hearing in FIN. Please submit testimony in support for this bill.
HB 2121 - RELATING TO WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAII
Establishes a Center for Women in Technology at the University of Hawaii.
Primary Introducer: Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45 - Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, Mililani)
Passed second reading, and is awaiting a hearing in FIN. Please submit testimony in support for this bill.
HB 2250 - RELATING TO FAMILY LEAVE
Adds routine medical care for a child as a qualifying reason for parents to use family leave under chapter 398.
Primary Introducer: Representative Lauren Matsumoto (District 45 - Schofield, Mokuleia, Waialua, Kunia, Waipio Acres, Mililani)
HD1 passed second reading and is awaiting a hearing in FIN. Please submit testimony in support of this bill.
HB 1819 - RELATING TO NORTH ROAD
Requires the Department of Transportation to acquire a privately owned portion of North Road and install lighting there. Appropriates funds for the acquisition and lighting. Appropriates funds as a grant-in-aid to the City and County of Honolulu to install lighting on the city-owned portion of North Road. (HB1819 HD1)
Primary Introducer: Representative Bob McDermott (District 40 - Ewa, Ewa Beach, Ewa Gentry, Iroquois Point)
HD1 passed second reading and is awaiting a hearing in FIN. Please submit testimony in support of this bill.
HB 1602 - RELATING TO OPIOIDS
Requires that persons who sell opioid drugs must also provide a label warning of the risks of addiction and death.
Primary Introducer: Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50 - Kaneohe Bay, Kailua)
Passed out of its final committee with amendments; will go to the floor for third reading.
HB 1603 - RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE
Requires health insurers, mutual benefit societies, and health maintenance organizations to provide health care coverage and benefits for a minimum of 6 months of inpatient and outpatient treatment for opioid dependence beginning after 12/31/2018. (HB1603 HD1)
Primary Introducer: Representative Cynthia Thielen (District 50 - Kaneohe Bay, Kailua)
Passed out of its second committee and awaiting a hearing in FIN. Please submit testimony in support of this bill.
HB 1598 - RELATING TO THE SPACE INDUSTRY.
Creates the International Moon Base Alliance Committee. The committee will promote the space industry in Hawaii and will provide guidance for the establishment of a prototype moon base on the island of Hawaii.
Primary Introducer: Representative Gene Ward (District 17 - Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley)
Passed second reading and is awaiting a hearing in FIN. Please submit testimony in support of this bill.
GET INVOLVED!
Our bill ideas are still out there. Please join us throughout this session by advocating for these ideas. Here is how you can get involved:
- Call your representatives and tell them to give these bills a hearing (bill numbers are listed within this email).
- Come to the legislature and testify or submit testimony online at capitol.hawaii.gov for these measures.
- Tell your friends and family about it, and get them involved too!
For more information or to stay up-to-date with what's happening at the capitol, please view our website at houseminority.wordpress.com.
We are excited and grateful for this opportunity to serve you. We look forward to seeing you at the hearings, in the halls of the Capitol, and in the community. And if there is anything we can do for you, please reach out to any of our offices. Our contact information is on the info sheet (see link below). Don't forget to share this with your family and friends! Take care and God bless.
Mahalo,
Andria Tupola
State House Representative, District 43
Minority Leader
BILL NUMBERS
- HB 1729 Relating to Fiscal Impact Statements
- HB 1730 Relating to Government Transparency
- HB 1731 Needs a supermajority voting requirement to increase taxes.
- HB 1732 Relating to GET Exemptions
- HB 1733 Relating to the repeal of Death Taxes
- HB 1734 Relating to Legislative Videoconferencing abilities
- HB 1735 Relating to extending aloha to Veterans
- HR 4 End Permit Purgatory
- HR 5 Requesting an audit of the public charter school system
- HR 6 Urging HI-EMA to improve its operations and public education
Click to View Our Caucus Bill Package Videos
View Info Sheet
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