Rep. Cynthia Thielen inspires floor amendment extending existing shield law
News Release from House Republican Caucus
HONOLULU – Rep. Cynthia Thielen (R, Kailua-Kaneohe) seconded a floor amendment to House Bill 622 extending Hawaii’s existing shield law for two years. She had initially anticipated offering an amendment personally to make the existing shield law permanent. In a gesture of collaboration with the coalition, Thielen instead seconded the amendment offered by House leadership.
“We have the best media shield law in the nation,” Rep. Thielen said. “The Senate amendments were a throwback to the pre-Internet age and an attempt to harm new media. This group of media provides such important information to the public and should be protected just like traditional journalists.”
In 2008, Rep. Gene Ward (R, Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley), former Rep. Blake Oshiro and others co-introduced what became the current shield law, which is set to expire on June 30, 2013.
Ward introduced HB 465 this session to make the existing shield law permanent. Rep. Gregg Takayama (D, Pearl City-Waimalu-Pacific Palisades) is the first primary introducer of HB 622.
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Representatives address HB622 – Evidence; News Media Privilege; Shield Law
From House Republican Caucus
RELATING TO EVIDENCE.
Report Title: Evidence; News Media Privilege; Shield Law
Description: Extends the news media privilege against the compelled disclosure of sources and unpublished sources for two years. Effective June 29, 2013. (HB622 CD2)
The Conference Committee recommends that the measure be Passed, with Amendments. The votes were as follows: 2 Ayes: Representative(s) Rhoads, Belatti; Ayes with reservations: none; 1 Noes: Representative(s) Thielen; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) C. Lee.
4/25/2013 H Reported from Conference Committee (Conf Com. Rep. No. 54) as amended in (CD 1).
4/25/2013 H Forty-eight (48) hours notice Tuesday, 04-30-13.
4/25/2013 S Reported from Conference Committee as amended CD 1 (Conf. Com. Rep. No. 54).
4/25/2013 S 48 Hrs. Notice (as amended CD 1) 04-30-13.
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