Hawaii Family Forum Legislative Week in Review
from Hawaii Family Forum, April 3, 2026
As we enter Holy Week, we pause to remember the great love of Jesus Christ—His suffering, His sacrifice, and the victory of His resurrection. In the midst of busy days and important work, Holy Week calls us to fix our eyes on the cross and the empty tomb, where we find our hope, our peace, and our purpose. May this sacred week draw you and your ʻohana closer to the Lord and fill your hearts with renewed faith and gratitude.
With much love & aloha, Eva
What Happened This Week at the Capitol: Resolutions, Resolutions, Resolutions
SR 58 / SCR 64 – Cannabis Policy Resolution Advances
SR 58 and SCR 64 request that Congress remove cannabis from the federal Controlled Substances Act, support the clearing of cannabis-related criminal records, and expand banking access for cannabis-related businesses.
Hawaiʻi Family Forum opposed these resolutions due to concerns about further normalization of cannabis use and the potential impact on families and communities.
On April 2, the Senate Judiciary Committee (JDC) passed the measure with amendments. The vote was unanimous: 5 Ayes (Senators Rhoads, Gabbard, Chang, San Buenaventura, and Awa), with no opposition or reservations.
STATUS: The resolution now moves to the full Senate floor for final adoption. Since debate is not expected, it is likely to pass.
HR 5 – EMTALA Resolution Adopted by House
HR 5, a resolution affirming a specific interpretation of federal law (EMTALA) that includes abortion as a form of emergency medical care in certain situations, was adopted by the full House on April 1.
Hawai‘i Family Forum submitted testimony in opposition. While we support ensuring that women receive immediate, life-saving care in medical emergencies, we expressed concern that this resolution goes beyond that purpose. Instead, it promotes a one-sided interpretation of federal law that continues to be debated nationwide and is not clearly settled.
We also noted that Hawai‘i hospitals already provide high-quality emergency care, making this resolution unnecessary. As a non-binding measure, HR 5 does not change Hawai‘i law. However, it does express the will of the House and may signal the direction of future policy discussions.
House Vote: Adopted with 7 Representatives voting “No” (Alcos, Garcia, Gedeon, Matsumoto, Muraoka, Pierick, Shimizu); none voting with reservations; none excused.
STATUS: As a House Resolution, HR 5 does not move to the Senate. It reflects the position of the House only.
SCR 7 / SR 7 Advances Out of Senate HHS
SCR 7 / SR 7 is the Senate version of the House resolution above. It affirms and supports the requirement that hospitals provide life-saving emergency care to pregnant patients, including abortion services when deemed medically necessary under federal law (EMTALA).
On March 30, the Senate Committee on Health & Human Services (HHS) passed the resolution unamended. The votes in committee were as follows:
3 Ayes: Sen. San Buenaventura, McKelvey, Kanuha
1 No: Sen. Fevella
1 Excused: Sen. Keohokalole
This resolution continues to move forward and reflects the Senate's position on how emergency care—including abortion-related services—should be interpreted and supported in Hawaiʻi. While resolutions do not create law, they express the will and intent of the Legislature and can influence policy direction and public understanding.
STATUS: The resolution now moves to the full Senate floor for final adoption. Since debate is not expected, it is likely to pass.
LEGISLATIVE DEADLINES:
APR 9 FIRST CROSSOVER FOR CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS – Deadline for passing the single reading required for resolutions in order to move from the originating chamber to the other chamber. & SINGLE REFERRAL FILING DEADLINE (HBS) – Deadline for Senate committee reports on single referral HBs to be filed.
APR 10 SECOND DECKING (BILLS) – Deadline for submitting 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 16 SECOND CROSSOVER (BILLS) – Deadline for amended bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber in order to “cross back” to the originating chamber. & LAST DAY FOR THE ORIGINATING BODY TO DISAGREE WITH BILL AMENDMENTS – 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 may meet in a “conference” committee to work out their differences.
APR 24 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 decision.
ACROSS THE NATION
SCOTUS Rules 8-1 Talk Therapy Bans Violate First Amendment
Mar 31, 2026 | WASHINGTON, D.C. – [Liberty Counsel] Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in Chiles v. Salazar that Colorado’s 2019 counseling ban on talk therapy for minors violates the First Amendment and the free speech of licensed counselors. Colorado’s law banned licensed counselors from expressing viewpoints aimed at helping minors change any unwanted same-sex attractions, behaviors, or gender confusion. The majority opinion found the law “censors speech based on viewpoint,” and is “unconstitutional” under the “First Amendment’s jealous protections for the individual’s right to think and speak freely.” [Read full story here.] | [Read more at ADF]
Sidewalk Advocates for Life Files Lawsuit
We hope that the Hawaii Legislature is paying attention!
Sidewalk Advocates for Life has filed suit in federal court against Detroit, Michigan, over its “buffer zone” ordinance that criminalizes speech that protests or counsels against abortion within 15 feet of an abortion facility and 8 feet of patients outside of such facilities. For further information, click here.
Weekly Faith and Family First Update
Click to listen.
In this special Holy Week episode of Faith and Family First, Eva Andrade and Marcus Oshiro reflect on the meaning of Easter and the hope found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ—while also diving into a critical moment at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature.
From the passage of key resolutions to the quiet death of a major gambling bill, Eva and Marcus break down what happened this past week and what it means for families across Hawaiʻi. They also preview two major bills headed to decision-making in the Senate Judiciary, where public testimony is closing and final outcomes are near.
Plus, Marcus offers insider insight into how the legislative process works in these final weeks—including what happens when House and Senate versions of bills collide—and answers listener questions about resolutions and their real-world impact.
The episode wraps with an important preview of a major U.S. Supreme Court decision affecting free speech and counseling laws—raising serious implications for Hawaiʻi moving forward.
As the session enters its final stretch, this is your essential update on faith, policy, and the future of our state.
A GREAT AWAKENING
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