Legislative Session News

from Hawaii Family Forum, March 24, 2023

As of today, March 24, 2023, all bills with multiple referrals must move to their final referral committee in the non-originating chamber.  (Note: Committees must file their committee report with the bill by the previous day, March 23.)

WEEKLY RECAP

Abortion "Monster" Bill Now Law!

SB1 SD2 (Relating to Healthcare) easily passed the full House directly after I sent out the notice last week Friday.  Representative Matsumoto and Representative Garcia offered floor amendments which failed.  After notice to the Senate, the bill was sent directly to the Governor and he promptly signed it into law.  (This is a copy of the screenshot of the bill. You will notice the fast track between the committee vote and the full House vote).

We appreciate the NO VOTES of the Representatives above.
NOTE:  This Act shall take effect upon its approval; provided that the amendments made to section 457-12(a), Hawaii Revised Statutes, by section 10 of this Act shall not be repealed when that section is reenacted on June 30, 2023, pursuant to section 6 of Act 66, Session Laws of Hawaii 2017. [Language taken directly from the bill]

Stop Suicides AND Increase Suicides: Legislature Moves Both Forward

HB622 HD2, the bill that makes permanent the prevent suicide Hawaiʻi task force within the department of health. Requires the task force to focus on reducing the suicide rate among Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in the State. Requires reports to the legislature was heard in the Senate Health & Human Services Committee on Tuesday, March 20.   [Read full text of bill here.]

We submitted testimony in SUPPORT of this bill.

On March 20, 2023, the Senate Health & Human Services passed the bill with amendments. The votes in HHS were as follows: 
5 Aye(s): Senator(s) San Buenaventura, Aquino, Moriwaki, Shimabukuro, Awa; 

STATUS: The bill now moves to the final hearing in the Senate which is a joint committee hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Committee on Ways & Means.

ON THE OTHER HAND, HB650 HD2, the bill that authorizes advanced practice registered nurses to practice medical aid in dying or provide counseling to a qualified patient, amends the mandatory waiting period between oral requests and the provision of a prescription, and provides an expedited pathway for terminally ill qualified patients who are not expected to survive the mandatory waiting period was heard by a joint committee hearing of the Senate Health & Human Services and Senate Consumer Protection. [Read full text of the bill here.]

We submitted testimony in OPPOSITION to this bill.

On March 23, 2023 The committee(s) on Senate Committee on Consumer Protection recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in CPN were as follows: 
4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Keohokalole, Fukunaga, McKelvey, Richards; 
1 No(es): Senator(s) Awa; and 0 Excused: none.

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

We appreciate the NO vote of Senator Awa.  

STATUS:  The bill will now move to its final Senate committee (Judiciary).  Since lateral is next week, the hearing will most likely happen relatively quick.

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

MAR 28 (SENATE) AND 31 (HOUSE) – FIRST LATERAL FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – All concurrent resolutions with multiple referrals must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by these dates. (Note: HCRs must be filed by March 30.) 

APR 5 – FIRST CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – Deadline for concurrent resolutions to pass the required single floor vote in the originating chamber. Upon adoption by the originating chamber, concurrent resolutions move or "crossover" to the other chamber. (Measures must be filed by Tuesday, April 4.) 

APR 6 – 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. (Note: House Bills with only a single referral need to be filed by the committee by April 5.) 

APR 13 – SECOND CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber and to “cross back” to the originating chamber. 

APR 13 – 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.

Triple "F" Show: Faith and Family First

Understanding Constitutional Rights

Originally aired on March 23, 2023

This week on the FFF podcast, Eva and Jim delve into the fascinating topic of Constitutional Rights. With Jim's extensive knowledge in this area, listeners are in for a treat as he explains the historical background surrounding the creation of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and how these documents relate to the rights we enjoy today. From the distinction between explicit Constitutional rights to those related to undue burden, Jim discuss how the latter can be manipulated to enshrine rights that are not explicitly guaranteed by the Constitution or the Bill of Rights, such as abortion rights. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation and gain greater insights into the Constitutional rights.