WEEKLY RECAP

from Hawaii Family Forum, Feb 18, 2023

Senate reconsidered SB1 (Abortion bill) but its not what you think

On Tuesday, February 14, 2023, the joint committee of the Senate Health & Human Services and the Senate Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, "reconsidered" it's decision to pass SB1 Relating to Health Care out of committee.  The bill consideration is just another fancy way of saying that they are making changes to the bill that had passed already out of committee.  They are now incorporating language from SB890 and SB896 into the bill.  No testimony was accepted.

The votes in CPN were as follows: 
3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Richards
1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa
1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.

The votes in HHS were as follows: 
3 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Moriwaki; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 
1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa
1 Excused: Senator(s) Shimabukuro.

The amended bill will now move to the final Senate committee, the Judiciary.

Recreational Marijuana bills have Senate approval. But what about the community?

Vaping is on the rise.  Are these next?

On Tuesday, February 14th, the Senate Judiciary Committee heard SB669, the bill that establishes regulations for the cultivation, sale, and personal use of small amounts of cannabis. Decriminalizes and regulates small amounts (little over ONE OUNCE) of cannabis for personal use. Establishes taxes for cannabis sales.  (Make sure you watch my interview with Luke Niforatos from Smart Approaches to Marijuana to find out why legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes is a bad idea for Hawaii.)

We submitted testimony in opposition.

Mahalo to those of you who took the time to contact your Senators.

The votes in JDC were as follows: 

3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Rhoads, Gabbard, Elefante; 
2 Excused: Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Awa.

Status: The bill will now move to the final Senate Committee, Ways & Means.  If the bill passes the WAM committee, it will go to the full Senate for a vote before crossover.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2023, the joint committee(s) of the Senate Health & Human Services and the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection heard SB375 Relating to Cannabis, another bill that would legalize recreational marijuana.

We submitted testimony in opposition.

The votes in CPN were as follows: 
3 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, Awa; 
1 No(es): Senator(s) Richards; and 
1 Excused: Senator(s) McKelvey.

The votes in HHS were as follows: 
2 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura; Aye(s) with reservations: 
Senator(s) Aquino ;
1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and
2 Excused: Senator(s) Moriwaki, Shimabukuro.

Mahalo to those of you who took the time to contact your Senators.

Status:  The bill will now move to a final joint committee of the Senate Judiciary and Ways & Means.  If the bill passes this joint hearing, it will go to the full Senate for a vote before crossover.

Removing restrictions on assisted suicide

Doctors continue to say no to assisted suicide.  Shouldn't someone be asking why?

On Wednesday, February 15, HB 650 HD1 Relating to Health was heard in the House Committee on Consumer Protection.  This bill removes the safeguards on assisted suicide. When the issue passed in 2018, we warned about the slippery slope.

We submitted testimony in opposition.

The votes were as follows: 
9 Ayes: Representative(s) Nakashima, Sayama, Amato, Belatti, Hashem, Hussey-Burdick, Lowen, Onishi, Tam
1 Noes: Representative(s) Pierick; and 
1 Excused: Representative(s) Gates.

Mahalo to those of you who made contact with your Representative.

STATUS:  The bill will now move to the final House Committee, Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs.  After this committee, if the bill passes, it will go to the full House for a vote before crossover.  

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

FEB 23 - MAR 1 – 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. 

MAR 3 – 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. (Note: Senate Bills with only a single referral need to be filed by the committee by March 2.) 

MAR 9 – 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.

Triple "F" Show: Faith and Family First

Why recreational marijuana will be bad for Hawaii!

Originally aired:  February 16, 2023

In this week's episode, Eva is joined by Luke Niforatos, the executive Vice President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), to talk about the potential implications of legalizing recreational marijuana in Hawaii. With more and more states considering or enacting such legislation, there's a lot of debate and speculation around what the outcomes might be. However, Niforatos explains how some of the supposed benefits of legalizing marijuana are actually misguided and overlook the real costs and risks involved. Through their conversation, Eva and Niforatos explore some of the key issues at stake. Whether you're a supporter or opponent of recreational marijuana, this episode offers a thought-provoking and informative look at one of the most pressing policy debates of our time, you won't want to miss it.