Friday, December 28, 2018

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE SCHEDULES BUDGET INFORMATIONAL BRIEFINGS


Honolulu, Hawaii – The House Committee on Finance is holding a series of Informational Briefings in January to hear testimony and review requests for the state budget from governmental agencies.
The briefings will be held in Room 308 at the State Capitol except a joint briefing with the Senate Committee on Ways and Means which will be held in the auditorium.

Friday, December 21, 2018

STATE NOW ACCEPTING GRANT-IN-AID APPLICATIONS


Deadline to apply is January 18, 2019

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Qualified nonprofit and other organizations can now apply for State Grants-in-Aid (GIA) for the 2019 Legislative Session. The deadline to submit grant applications is 4:30 p.m. January 18, 2019.
Last year, the Legislature awarded about $29 million in grants to organizations across the state for various public purposes recognized as priorities and seen as complimentary to state government functions, including health, educational, workforce development, social services and cultural and historical activities.
Information, instructions and applications on the GIA process are available on the Legislature’s website at http://capitol.hawaii.gov/.

Tuesday, December 4, 2018

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE (2019-2020)


Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – House Speaker Scott K. Saiki is pleased to announce the Leadership and the committee assignments for the Thirtieth Legislature (2019-2020).
 
"Our members are looking forward to the upcoming session and are focused on tackling some of the biggest challenges facing our state," said Speaker Saiki.  "We have worked hard to establish a leadership team and standing committee assignments that will help facilitate the legislative process and take full advantage of the wealth of knowledge and expertise that each member of the House offers."

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

NINE NEW REPRESENTATIVES JOIN HOUSE MAJORITY FOR IMPORTANT 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION




Representatives Stacelynn Kehaulani Eli (from left), Troy Hashimoto, Rida Cabanilla, Scot Matayoshi, Speaker Scott K. Saiki, David Tarnas, Dale Kobayashi, Christine M.L. Wildberger and Lisa Kitagawa. 



Honolulu, HawaiʻiHouse Speaker Scott K. Saiki and the House Majority Democrats are pleased to welcome nine newly elected Representatives to the 2019 Legislature.
"The incoming Representatives are a very diverse, energetic group and will make a significant contribution to the legislature," said Speaker Saiki.
The nine new members are moving into their offices, hiring staff and receiving training on the legislative process. The group embodies one of the largest freshmen classes at the legislature in recent history. The House has a total of 51 members statewide.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP AND COMMITTEE CHAIR ASSIGNMENTS FOR THE THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE


House Speaker Scott K. Saiki is pleased to announce the Representatives who will be part of the House Leadership and the committee chair assignments for the Thirtieth Legislature.
"The House of Representatives has organized in record time. Our new leadership team and committee chairs reflect the diversity of the House and the entire state," said Speaker Saiki. "We know that there are significant policy issues that need to be resolved and our team is prepared to address them in the upcoming legislative session."
The committee structure has been adjusted to combine related subject areas, focus committee jurisdictions on critical issues, and streamline the hearing process.

Monday, November 5, 2018

The House of Representatives Shares Voting Information


The House of Representatives would like to share important information with you about voting. The 2018 General Election is Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
Know your polling place! Voters are assigned to a polling place based on their residence address. Visit State of Hawaii, Office of Elections https://elections.hawaii.gov/ to find your polling place or call 453-VOTE (8683).

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

HOUSE LEADERS INTERVIEW JUDGE HIRAOKA PRIOR TO CONFIRMATION HEARING FOR INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS NOMINEE


House Speaker Scott K. Saiki and House leaders interviewed Circuit Court Judge Keith Hiraoka today following his nomination to the state Intermediate Court of Appeals. House leaders and Judge Hiraoka engaged in an informative and wide-ranging discussion about judicial experience and temperament, judicial philosophy, and separation of powers between the three branches of government.

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

LEGISLATIVE OFFICES TO CLOSE THURSDAY AND FRIDAY AS HURRICANE LANE APPROACHES THE ISLANDS


Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Offices at the Hawaiʻi State Legislature will be closed on Thursday, August 23, and Friday, August 24 due to the heavy impact anticipated from Hurricane Lane.

Thursday, August 2, 2018

HOUSE SPEAKER SCOTT K. SAIKI ELECTED VICE PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF STATE LEGISLATURES



Los Angeles —House Speaker Scott K. Saiki has been elected vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), a bipartisan organization serving the nation’s 7,383 state lawmakers and legislative staff. Saiki took office on Thursday, Aug. 2, at NCSL's Legislative Summit in Los Angeles.
The Hawaiʻi speaker will serve one year as vice president, ascend to president-elect the following year, and then become president at the Legislative Summit in 2020. NCSL leadership alternates between parties every year.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

LEGISLATURE'S INNOVATIVE PESTICIDE BILL TO BECOME LAW


Hawaiʻi is first state to ban harmful chemical chlorpyrifos


Residents rally at the State Capitol to ban dangerous pesticides.

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –One of the major accomplishments of the 2018 Legislative session was the passing of Senate Bill 3095 SD1 HD1 CD1 which restricts pesticide use near schools, prohibits the use of the dangerous pesticides chlorpyrifos, and requires transparency and disclosure for the use of restricted-use pesticides in large quantities.
Governor David Ige is scheduled to sign the bill into law with several lawmakers attending in support.
House Majority Floor Leader, Representative Dee Morikawa (Niʻihau, Lehua, Kōloa, Waimea), said the bill is a common-sense solution for protecting our children and families from possible negative effects from chemical pesticides and the need for agricultural businesses to use some pesticides on their farms.

Thursday, May 10, 2018

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ESTABLISHES WORKING GROUP TO EVALUATE SEXUAL HARASSMENT PROCEDURES

Focus on reporting, investigating and eliminating disruptive behavior


Honolulu, Hawaiʻi –House Speaker Scott K. Saiki today announced the formation of an Interim Working Group to Evaluate House Procedures on Disruptive Behavior. The advisory group will evaluate current House procedures relating to reporting, investigating and eliminating inappropriate harassment behavior.
"This working group is comprised of experts who will recommend improvements to the House's workplace standards and procedures. We are taking this initiative to ensure that the House maintains a safe and productive working environment for all employees and visitors," said Saiki.

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

PASSAGE OF MAJOR BILLS CAPS OFF PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATIVE SESSION


Lawmakers take action to address flood relief, tackle the homeless crisis, provide affordable housing and increase environmental protections

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – At the beginning of the 2018 Legislative Session, leadership in the House of Representatives said their top priorities included funding for affordable housing and homeless support. The House today fulfilled that mandate and approved bills covering a wide range of issues including disaster relief, domestic violence, family leave, and the environment.

Friday, April 27, 2018

LEGISLATURE PROVIDES $50 MILLION FUNDING PACKAGE TO ADDRESS HOMELESS ISSUES


Including $34.7 million for ‘Ohana Zones, medical services, and a coordinated
statewide initiative


Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Taking the lead on solving Hawai‘i's homeless crisis, the conference committee on Housing today passed SB 2401 SD2 HD1 CD1 and SB 2027 SD2 HD1 CD1 totaling $34.7 million to fund ‘Ohana Zones and support long overdue medical services for homeless populations statewide.

The conference committee passed:

·         $30 million for ‘Ohana Zones on three Oahu sites, and one each on Kaua‘i, Maui and Hawai‘i Island. Public lands will be selected by the Governor for the zones.
·         $1 million for an Emergency Department Assessment pilot program.
·         $1 million for a medical respite pilot program.
·         $800,000 for a new family assessment center.
·         $400,000 for two new Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) programs on Maui and Hawai‘i Island.

·         1.5 million for a Coordinated Statewide Homeless Initiative.

Rep. Della Au Belatti (Makiki, Tantalus, Papakōlea, McCully, Pāwa‘a, Mānoa) said lawmakers this session decided to take the lead on finding homeless solutions and ‘Ohana Zones are an important part of that concept.

"The $30 million for ‘Ohana Zones is a lump sum that we hope to partner with the private sector using Kahauiki Village as a model," said House Majority Leader Belatti. "This amount is our estimate of what the infrastructure and support services will cost in multiple sites across the state. The idea here is to be very flexible. What might work on Oahu might not be the best plan for one of the neighbor islands."


"Ten years ago we started looking into safe zones for our homeless population," said Brower, Chair of the House Housing Committee. "Many were reluctant to go into shelters or even permanent housing. This will provide a better option for many homeless people."

“The measures we passed appropriate millions of dollars to help eliminate the homeless problem and build affordable rentals," said Senator Will Espero (‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. "The Governor now has all the resources and tools necessary to provide housing and to assist the many homeless advocates and organizations with their programs and services that will help families and individuals rebuild their lives. This year’s funding is just the beginning of the Legislature’s commitment to end homeless,”

Representative John M. Mizuno (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, Lower Kalihi) said he is proud of the work lawmakers have done this session to support homeless initiatives.

"This has been the most comprehensive year ever in funding homeless initiatives," said Mizuno, Chair Health & Human Services Committee. "We are focused on addressing our homeless crisis rather than funding more homeless sweeps. We have focused our policies to provide our people in need with stability, a place to heal, and the ability to become self-sufficient."
“Thousands of homeless who are struggling on our streets will see their lives change greatly for the better through this bill. The public will also see a difference when they have their parks back, their sidewalks clear, and see much less suffering throughout our communities,” said Senator Josh Green (Kona, Ka‘u), Chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services.
Lawmakers last week provided $15 million to fund existing homeless service programs, $3 million more than requested by the Governor. The funds are in a lump sum rather than restricted to a specific program to allow the State Homeless Coordinator to have the ability take decisive action and use the funds where they are most needed.

They also appropriated $1 million for matching funds to the Hawaii Tourism Authority for homeless related projects. The nonprofit Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association will distribute the money for programs in resort areas.

The bills now move to a final vote in both Houses.