PRESS CONFERENCE ON BILL TO PROVIDE HAWAIʻI ISLAND DISASTER FUNDING IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING SESSION

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Hawaiʻi Island representatives and senators and Hawaiʻi County councilmembers will hold a press conference to discuss HB 1180 HD1 – the Hawaiʻi Island disaster relief funding bill. The bill is scheduled for third reading in the Senate on March 29.

The press conference will be held at 1 p.m. in room 445, immediately following House and Senate sessions.

LAWMAKERS HOST TALK ABOUT FOOD SAFETY WITH US FOOD AND DRUG AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Representative Lynn DeCoite, the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, and the University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension are sponsoring an informational meeting on food safety and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) compliance with visiting FDA representatives Mark Chen, Stephen Hughes, and Stelios Viazis. Agricultural stakeholders have been invited for a meaningful dialogue with FDA officials.

The meeting is open to the public. RSVP encouraged due to room capacity. To register, contact Rebecca Crall at Rep. DeCoite's office at (808) 586-6790 or r.crall@capitol.hawaii.gov, or register online: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/fbadb5e5f4dc4a5034538d7d4481ef37

LEGISLATURE GIVES EARLY APPROVAL FOR THE STATE BUDGET BILL

Priorities include new state hospital staff, airport improvements, debt service payments

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House and the Senate today approved a final version of HB 2 HD1 SD 1 CD1, the state budget bill, which includes operating monies to run the state government. The bill puts a priority on appropriating funds to staff the new state hospital, make needed improvements at state airports, and pay down our debt service.

The House Finance Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee met in conference last week to finalize the bill. Conferees approved the $16 billion budget covering fiscal years 2020 and 2021 about a month earlier than in previous legislative sessions.

HOUSE PASSES BILL TO DECRIMINALIZE LIMITED CANNABIS POSSESSION

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today (March 7) the House of Representatives passed HB1383 HD2, which decriminalizes the possession of three or less grams of cannabis and instead establishes a fine of $200.

"This law keeps drug dealers behind bars where they belong, but also keeps regular people who just had a joint out of jail to avoid creating more hardened criminals which makes crime worse," said Representative Chris Lee, Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and introducer of the measure. "It removes the unnecessary permanent mark from their record so they can go back to school, get a better job, and take care of their family. If we want to actually reduce crime and reduce substance abuse, then our taxpayer dollars are more effectively spent on treatment rather than jailing people at a cost of $146 per person per day."

HOUSE LEADERSHIP DETAILS ELECTIONS AND ETHICS REFORM BILLS

Judiciary Chair Chris Lee (at podium) discusses the House bills passed to support good governance at a press conference today with House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (from left), Finance Chair Sylvia Luke, Vice Speaker Mark M. Nakashima, Representative Chris Todd, and Representative Stacelynn K.M. Eli. 

Representatives say bills also address money in politics, fight public corruption

 
Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – House Leadership and Representatives gathered today to discuss a package of more than a dozen bills passed out of the House this session designed to reform elections, address money in politics, and fight public corruption.

“We are making it our priority to take proactive steps to ensure public confidence in our elections process and government,” said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki.

“These bills represent the most significant reforms in Hawaiʻi’s elections and ethics laws in a generation," said House Judiciary Chair Chris Lee, introducer of a number of the bills. "They will engage new voters, resolve election recounts, and prevent questions over conflicts of interest and money in politics here in Hawaiʻi that currently plague Washington, D.C.”

HOUSE PASSES 169 BILLS ON THIRD READING FOCUSING ON GOOD GOVERNMENT, ELECTIONS, HOMELESSNESS, EDUCATION

As the 2019 Legislative Session nears its crossover deadline this week, the House of Representatives has passed nearly 500 bills during a productive session focused on good government, homelessness, and education.

Majority Leader Della Au Belatti said significant bills have been passed this session regarding campaign finance reform, elections issues, ending public corruption, and important social and economic issues including minimum wage, sea level change, and replacing the Aloha Stadium.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MOVES 197 BILLS ON ELECTION REFORM, CLIMATE CHANGE, MINIMUM WAGE, EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY, CRIME, TAXES TO THE SENATE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed 197 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. The bills include measures on election reform, climate change and the environment, minimum wage, education, public safety, crime, taxes, and other important issues.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MOVES 127 BILLS ON HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS, DISASTER RELIEF, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND FIREARMS TO THE SENATE

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House of Representatives passed 127 bills on third reading today, moving them to the Senate for their consideration. The bills include disaster relief for Hawaiʻi Island for damages and losses caused by the eruption of Kilauea volcano, homelessness, health, public safety, firearms, and other important issues.

FINANCE COMMITTEE PASSES BILLS RELATING TO DISASTER RELIEF, VOTING BY MAIL, DUI, AND SAFETY AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – Today the State House Committee on Finance chaired by Representative Sylvia J. Luke (Makiki, Punchbowl, Nuʻuanu, Dowsett Highlands, Pacific Heights, Pauoa) passed dozens of bills, including:

HB 1180, HD1              RELATING TO NATURAL DISASTERS.

Appropriates $60 million for disaster relief, recovery, mitigation, and remediation activities for the County of Hawaii. The Kilauea eruption covered nearly 14 square miles in Puna; it destroyed 716 homes and made over three thousand parcels inaccessible, and destroyed a school, farms, cultural sites, roadways, water systems, recreational destinations, and a large portion of the electrical grid. The state has already allocated $22 million for recovery efforts bringing the total funding to $82 million. The governor, the legislature, and the Hawaii County Council all support this bill. The bill requires reporting of monthly expenditures to the Department of Budget and Finance.

HOUSE COMMITTEES VOTE TO PROVIDE $60 MILLION IN DISASTER RELIEF FOR HAWAIʻI ISLAND FOLLOWING KILAUEA ERUPTION

Cooperative efforts of House, Senate, County, and Administration make funding possible

The House Public Safety, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee in a joint hearing with three other House committees today amended and passed HB 1180 that provides $60 million in disaster relief for Hawaiʻi Island following the destruction caused last year by the Kilauea eruption.

Of the $60 million total, $20 million would be set aside in a state grant and $40 million would be designated for a state loan with an expected payback from the federal government. Spending the funds would be subject to the Hawaiʻi County Council approval. The state has already provided $22 million in emergency funds for Big Island disaster relief, bringing the total package to $82 million.

The bill has the support of the House, Senate lawmakers and leadership, the Hawaiʻi County Council, and the Ige Administration and now moves to the House Finance Committee where Chair Sylvia J. Luke has said she would expedite it.

LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE BY MAUI'S TWO NEW HOUSE LAWMAKERS

Measures address minimum wage, sea level rise, school capacity and repair, illegal short-term vacation rentals

Maui's two new freshmen lawmakers, Representatives Tina M.L. Wildberger (Kīhei, Wailea, Mākena) and Troy N. Hashimoto (Kahakuloa, Waihe‘e, Waiehu, Pu‘uohala, Wailuku, Waikapū), introduced their first slate of bills to address issues of top concern to Maui residents. The measures include addressing the minimum wage, sea level rise, invasive species, school capacity and repair, and illegal vacation rentals. 

HOUSE COMMITTEE APPROVES OHA FUNDING BILL

The House Committee on Water, Land & Hawaiian Affairs on January 30 passed out House Bill 402 which substantially increases funding for Native Hawaiian beneficiaries.  This measure would establish $35 million as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' pro rata share of the public land trust and transfers a lump sum of $139 million to OHA for underpayment of the public land trust funds.

HAWAIIAN CAUCUS WEEK AT THE STATE CAPITOL

Recognition, activities to honor community leaders

The Hawaiʻi State Legislature's Native Hawaiian Caucus Co-Chairs, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole and Representative Daniel Holt, with 43 of their colleagues, are sponsoring Hawaiian Caucus Week and Hawaiian Caucus Day to honor community leaders that have contributed to the advancement of Native Hawaiians and to recognize the contributions of our ‘ōpi‘o (youth), makua (parents), kūpuna (elders), Hawaiian at Heart supporters, and ‘ahahui (organizations).

HOUSE VOTES TO ADOPT NEW WORKPLACE HARASSMENT POLICY

 Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – On Thursday, January 24, the House of Representatives adopted by resolution the House Administrative and Financial Manual for the Thirtieth Legislature 2019-2020.  Chapter 27 of the manual contains the House's new Workplace Harassment Policy.

"Changes were made to the House Workplace Harassment Policy to provide better direction, increase accountability, and facilitate appropriate follow-up of any complaints," said House Speaker Scott K. Saiki (McCully, Kāheka, Kakaʻako, Downtown). "This policy will help ensure that all members, staff, and the public are protected."

A sign detailing where to read the new policy will be posted in all members' offices, agency offices, conference rooms, and on bulletin boards.

HOUSE COMMITTEE PASSES BILL TO INCREASE MINIMUM WAGE

Lawmakers seek to protect worker benefits and be sensitive to the burden on employers

The House Committee on Labor & Public Employment today passed HB1191 HD1 to increase Hawaiʻi's minimum wage. The bill will increase the state minimum wage on a gradual basis beginning on January 1, 2020 through 2024, with smaller wage increases for employees receiving employer-sponsored health insurance to incentivize employers to continue to provide that benefit.

"The bill balances the real need of lower-wage workers to keep up with Hawaiʻi's high cost of living and small businesses' ability to continue doing business amidst the significant burdens imposed on them by the state," said Representative Aaron Ling Johanson, Chair of the Committee on Labor & Public Employment. "The bill improves the wages of those who are most vulnerable with less risk of compromising those same employees' health insurance currently paid for by the employer."

KEIKI CAUCUS PRESENTS AGGRESSIVE 2019 LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE

Bills include tobacco restrictions, bullying prevention, safe places for youth

Senator Karl Rhoads and Representative John M. Mizuno, co-conveners of the Legislature's Keiki Caucus, presented an aggressive 2019 Legislative Package of bills at the State Capitol today, relying on the support and input from dozens of organizations, individuals, and keiki themselves.

"The future of our entire state depends on our keiki," said Rep. Mizuno (Kalihi Valley, Kamehameha Heights, portion of Lower Kalihi). "This is our most promising, robust package of bills in the 25 years of the caucus."

Sen. Rhoads (Dowsett Highlands, Pu‘unui, Nu‘uanu, Pacific Heights, Pauoa, Punchbowl, Palama, Liliha, Iwilei, Chinatown, and Downtown) said the support and advice from Hawaiʻi's many children's advocacy groups is what makes this year's package so important.

FINANCE COMMITTEE PASSES BASE BUDGET

Bill is the first step in reforming the way state government spends taxpayer money

Honolulu, Hawaiʻi – The House Finance Committee today passed HB 2 HD1, the state operating budget for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021, as the first step toward adding additional accountability and transparency to the way the state spends money.

The ultimate goal of performance-based budgeting is to have every state agency justify discretionary funds they receive for each two-year budget cycle. Eventually, zero-based budgeting will analyze the entire budget of programs.

"The idea is to have public policy drive the budget rather than have the budget drive public policy as has often been done," said Representative Sylvia Luke, Chair of the Finance Committee. "This change will likely take a couple years to completely implement, but it will make our departments accountable for the funds they receive, and the public will better know how their taxes are being spent."

OPENING DAY FOR THE 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki opens the 2018 Session

WHO:             HAWAI‘I STATE LEGISLATURE

WHAT:          The Hawai‘i House of Representatives and Senate to convene the 30th Biennial Hawai‘i State Legislature

WHEN:          Wednesday, January 16, 2019

                        10 a.m.

WHERE:       House Chamber, Senate Chamber

                        Hawai‘i State Capitol

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMPLETES REVIEW AND UPDATES WORKPLACE HARASSMENT POLICY

New policy promotes a safe environment for all at the State Capitol

House Speaker Scott K. Saiki today announced the completion of a new House Workplace Harassment Policy including sexual harassment.

The new policy provides greater clarity of terms used to define harassment, expands reporting options, and extends protections to House members, staff, and the general public.

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.

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/.

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."

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, Hawaiʻi – House 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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.