Bills Still in Play: Sports Betting & Right to Contraceptives

from Hawaii Family Forum, March 7 2025

This legislative session has been incredibly impactful, thanks to YOU! In February alone, we sent out over 18 action alerts, and each one received hundreds of local responses. Mahalo for standing up and making your voices heard—you are making a real difference at the Capitol!

As of now, two major bills are still moving forward:

 HB1308 – Sports Betting Bill

 SB350 – Constitutional Amendment to Enshrine the “Right to Contraceptives” in the Hawaii Constitution

Hawaii Family Forum has been featured in multiple news articles for our strong opposition to both bills, continuing to serve as a voice for the faith-based community in Hawaii. These bills have been assigned to their respective committees, and we anticipate hearing alerts very soon.

 Stay tuned—we’ll keep you updated on the next steps and how you can take action!

Together, we are making a difference. Mahalo for standing for faith, family, and freedom in Hawaii!

This Week in Hawai'i

The Sports Wagering bill (HB1308) passed final reading on Tuesday, March 5, 2025 and I promised to give the final vote: (We appreciate the NO VOTES of the members below)

 Yes (31): Amato, Cochran, Evslin, Hashem, Holt, Ichiyama, Ilagan, Kahaloa, Kapela, Keohokapu, Kila, Kitagawa, Kong, Kusch, La Chica, Lee, Lowen, Miyake, Morikawa, Nakamura, Olds, Poepoe, Quinlan, Sayama, Souza, Takenouchi, Tam, Tarnas, Todd, Woodson & Yamashita

  Yes with Reservations (3) : Chun, Hussey, Lamosao

 No (15) Representative(s) Alcos, Belatti, Garcia, Garrett, Grandinetti, Iwamoto, Marten, Matayoshi, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Perruso, Reyes Oda, Shimizu, Takayama, Templo

 Excused (2) Representative(s) Pierick, Ward

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 ACTION:  The bill has been scheduled for hearing next week Tuesday.  Please see this link for action alert.

LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES

MAR 10 BUDGET DECKING – Deadline for submitting the budget bill for third reading. The State Budget is developed by the Governor and estimates expenditures for the fiscal year or biennium and the proposed means of financing these expenditures. 

MAR 12 BUDGET CROSSOVER – Last day for third reading of budget bill in order to move to the other chamber. 

MAR 13 SECOND TRIPLE REFERRAL FILING – All bills referred to three or more committees must be filed so that they can be in their second-to-last committee in the non-originating chamber by the following day. (Note: A referral to a joint committee counts as one committee referral.) This deadline allows ample time for successful bills to make their way to their last committee by the Second Lateral deadline. 

MAR 20 SECOND LATERAL FILING (BILLS) – Filing Deadline for Second Lateral Bills 

MAR 21 SECOND LATERAL (BILLS) – All bills with multiple referrals must move to their final referral committee in the non-originating chamber by this date

Across the Nation

Federal Courts

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed a lawsuit for the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates against the state of Delaware. The ADF is arguing that the state is preventing pro-life pregnancy centers from advertising their work and compelling their speech by requiring them to post disclaimers stating that they do not have a licensed medical provider on staff. For further information, click here. 

A lawsuit regarding the Biden administration’s rule on implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act will proceed, per a ruling by the Eighth Circuit. While the Trump administration’s Department of Justice represents the federal government in this case, following the change in administration, nevertheless it remains to be seen whether the Trump administration will continue to contest the case. For further information, click here. 

President Trump Executive Orders

President Trump signed an executive order expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), sparking backlash from many in the pro-life movement. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) issued a statement in opposition, noting that “[t]he IVF industry treats human beings like products” and such an order would “expand[] destruction of human life” by creating living embryos who may never be born. To read the executive order, click here. To read the USCCB’s statement, click here. For further information, click here and here. 

President Trump signed another executive order, “Eradicating Anti-Christian Bias,” establishing a task force “to protect the religious freedoms of Americans and end the anti-Christian weaponization of government,” which he announced at the National Prayer Breakfast. Attorney General Pam Bondi is to lead the task force in investigating “all executive departments and agencies.” To read the executive order, click here. For further information, click here. 

In keeping with President Trump’s executive orders, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. issued guidance defining “sex” as “a person’s immutable biological classification as either male or female.” To read the guidance, click here. For further information, click here. 

Catch Up on the Faith and Family First Podcast

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 New Episode Alert!

A brand-new episode of our show is dropping today or early tomorrow, and you won’t want to miss it! This time, we’re featuring a powerful floor speech from a surprising Democratic lawmaker—someone we’ve never highlighted before. Tune in and see why this speech is worth your time!  The episode for next week promises the same!

For the past few months, Marcus Oshiro has been joining me as my co-host, bringing his wealth of experience and unique insights to the conversation. As a former Hawaii State Representative for 23 years—and even a past Chair of the Finance Committee—Marcus offers a perspective that may surprise you! If you haven’t yet caught up on our episodes, now’s the perfect time.

 Watch, learn, and stay informed!

Mahalo for your continued support, and we’ll see you on the next episode!