This Week in Hawai'i

from Hawaii Family Forum, April 11, 2025

STATUS OF SPORTS BETTING:

On Tuesday, April 8 ,2025, the Hawaii State Senate voted, narrowly, to advance the bill to establish legalized sports betting in Hawaii (HB1308 SD2).  [View the full vote here.]. On Thursday, April 10, 2025 the Hawaii State House of Representatives sent notice that they DISAGREE with the Senate changes.  The bill will now move into conference committee consisting of appointed members from both the House and Senate.  Stay tuned for any call to action.

Upcoming Legislative Deadlines

APR 17 DEADLINE FOR FINAL FORM OF BILLS PROPOSING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS – A proposed amendment’s final form must be provided by written notice to the Governor at least 10 days 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. 

APR 21 SECOND CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – Deadline for passing amended concurrent resolutions in the non-originating chamber in order to “cross back” to the originating chamber. 

APR 24 FINAL DECKING OF NON-FISCAL BILLS – Deadline for submitting non-fiscal bills for final reading by both chambers. 

APR 25 FINAL DECKING OF FISCAL BILLS – Deadline for submitting fiscal bills for final reading by both chambers. Fiscal bills include appropriation or spending bills, tax credits, etc., or any bill with a House Finance (FIN) or Senate Ways and Means (WAM) referral. 

MAY 2 ADJOURNMENT SINE DIE – In Latin, “sine die” means “without a day” specified for next meeting. Adjournment sine die occurs on the 60th legislative day of a regular session and indicates a suspension of the business of the legislature indefinitely. From this point, the Legislature will certify bills whose form both chambers have agreed to and will transmit or “enroll” those bills to the Governor. Contact PAR for information regarding the Governor’s deadlines.

Across the Nation

Turning Back to Jesus: Encouraging Trends in Faith

According to Barna’s latest data, 66 percent of all U.S. adults say they have made a personal commitment to Jesus that is still important in their life today. Commitment levels reached their lowest in more than three decades in 2021 and 2022 when it bottomed out at 54 percent. Since then, the research shows a steady, year-over-year increase in the key indicator. 

Why is this? Among the biggest drivers of the Jesus resurgence are younger generations—particularly Gen Z and Millennials. This is a significant change from previous Barna tracking.

[Click to read full article.]

New Report Says Gender Ideology “Epidemic” Requires State Reforms

ORLANDO, FL – A new report from the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) confirms that the United States is experiencing an “epidemic” of childhood gender confusion and raises the alarm for states to enact legal protections to stop the “irreversible” and “abusive” medical mutilation of children.

The report, titled “State Reforms to Protect Children from Harmful and Irreversible Transgender Medical Procedures,” presents analysis of insurance data, academic research, and public health records to assist in legal reforms that will protect children.

[Click to read full article at Liberty Counsel]

Hawaii Among States Suing Trump Administration Over Halted Education Funds

Public officials in 16 states (including Hawaii) and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration Thursday to restore access to pandemic relief aid for schools, saying the Education Department’s abrupt halt of hundreds of millions of dollars of promised funding will force cuts to vital services.

The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan by a coalition of 16 Democratic attorneys general, led by New York’s Letitia James, plus Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, also a Democrat. It claims the administration’s refusal to release the aid violates federal law because it reversed a prior decision to allow states to access the money through March 2026.

[Read full story here.]

Catch Up on the Faith and Family First Podcast

In this episode, Marcus Oshiro and Eva Andrade discuss the dangers of pursuing sports betting in the State of Hawaii. What is the status of the current bill, and why should we be concerned?  

CLICK TO WATCH

Planned Parenthood is the budget but is also requesting more money from the State Budget.  What else is in there? Listen to this podcast to find out. 

CLICK TO WATCH.