From Hawaii Family Forum, April 2, 2021

WEEKLY WORD OF HOPE

Hope is coming...

As always we pray that the joy of Easter, and its true meaning, will fill your homes this year with the hope that is always on the way!  In fact, it's already here!

WEEKLY RECAP

Abortion Expansion Bill on the Way to Governor

HB 576 HD3, the bill to allow Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to do abortions in Hawaii has passed the Senate overwhelmingly (as we predicted).  It is now on the Governor's desk for signature.  He can either sign, veto or let the bill become law without his signature.  He is expected to sign it.

STATUS: On March 29, 2021, the bill Passed Third Reading in the Senate

The vote was as follows:

Ayes, 22; 
Aye(s) with reservations: Senator(s) Kim, Misalucha . 
Noes, 3 (Senator(s) Fevella, Gabbard, Riviere).
We appreciate the courage of Senators Fevella, Gabbard and Riviere to stand strong for life against such great odds.  Hawaii Family Forum opposed this bill.

ACTION: If you would like to send a message to Governor Ige asking him to veto the bill, you can do so at this link.

FROM AROUND THE NATION

Policy Leaders to Noem: Support the Fairness in Women's Sports Act

Support fairness in sports!

On Monday, Hawaii Family Forum joined other national leaders as they released an open letter to South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem. The letter, signed by 47 national and state policy leaders, urges Governor Noem to support a bill like HB 1217, the "Fairness in Women's Sports" Act, as originally passed by the state legislature. The bill is designed to protect female athletic opportunities by ensuring that only biological females are eligible to compete in girls' and women's school sports. 

The letter was signed by 11 leading national organizations: Alliance Defending Freedom, American College of Pediatricians, American Principles Project, Christian Medical & Dental Associations, Concerned Women for America, Eagle Forum, Family Policy Alliance, Family Research Council, Heritage Action for America, Save Women's Sports, and Women's Liberation Front. It also gained support from key leaders in 35 states, including South Dakota.

The coalition hopes that Noem will ultimately choose to support a bill like HB 1217 as originally passed by the legislature.

The full coalition letter may be found here.

ACTION: Contact Your Senator Today Regarding the Equality Act

Congress is now on break for two weeks. When Congress reconvenes on April 12 we urge everyone to engage by contacting your Senator and asking them to oppose the Equality Act.  By clicking the link above, you can easily send a message through our VoterVOICE system.  Using this link helps us "keep it local" and also allows us to gauge community impact.  

Hundreds of local residents have already responded.  MAHALO!

Take our Survey

CLICK TO TAKE SURVEY

We are conducting a survey just to check the pulse of the faith-based community on the issue of vaccinations, the handling of the pandemic by Hawaii leaders over the past year, and just finding out what you are thinking about.

The purpose of the survey is not to beat up on any one person or group.  It is simply to find out what you think about the whole situation.

The results of this survey will be discussed on the next episode of Faith in Politics (April 9 episode) and then we will post the results on our website.

The survey is anonymous so please take a few short minutes, if you have not done so already, to let us know what you think.  Mahalo for your time.

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

APR 8 SECOND LATERAL FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS - All Senate concurrent resolutions (SCRs) with multiple referrals must move to their final committee in the non-originating chamber (the House) by this day.

APR 9 - SECOND DECKING (BILLS) - 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. 

APR 15 - SECOND CROSSOVER (BILLS) - Deadline for bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber and to "cross back" to the originating chamber. 

APR 15 - 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 conference committees to reconcile their differences. 

APR 16 - DEADLINE FOR FINAL FORM OF BILLS PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS - A proposed amendment's final form must be provided by written notice to the Governor 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.