Diocese gives many bills the thumbs up
The Hawaii state legislative session has moved into its second half and the Hawaii Catholic Conference is pleased to report that most of its efforts have been in support of some really good pieces of legislation. Here is a summary of some of these efforts.
MEMORIAL BILLS
The conference strongly supports two “memorial” bills. The first, HB 2071, designates the last Sunday in September as “Gold Star Family Day” in Hawaii to honor the families of men and women who gave their lives serving in the U.S. armed forces in times of war or periods of hostilities.
The second, HB 2359, designates Jan. 23 as Saint Marianne Cope Day in Hawaii, celebrating the legacy of Hawaii’s second saint and the work of her St. Francis community in Hawaii. Both bills are moving forward.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
The conference supports HB 2038 which establishes the Human Trafficking Victim Services Fund to be administered by the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. It will provide much needed support and services to the victims of human trafficking.
ANTI-POVERTY MEASURE
The conference also supports SB 2205 which establishes a refundable state earned income tax credit. The bill, which is expected to pass, also requires the state Department of Taxation to report to the legislature and governor on the use of the earned income tax credit for the previous year. This credit is an important anti-poverty and work incentive program that helps individuals and families who earn low to moderate wages.
MINIMUM WAGE
Of the several bills introduced this session that would increase Hawaii’s minimum wage, SB 2609 is gaining the most support. It increases the minimum wage, now at $7.25 an hour, each year until it reaches $10.10 per hour in 2018. The conference supports this bill.
HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS
Along with our community partner Catholic Charities Hawaii, the conference is promoting significant funding of the Rental Housing Trust Fund which would go a long way to address the shortage of affordable rental units in Hawaii. (See story on page 17)
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
The Hawaii Catholic Conference testified against SB 2687, a bill which would greatly extend the statute of limitations for the crime of child sexual abuse. It would allow its victims to file a civil claim against the abuser and any entity or institution supervising the abuser up until the victim turns 55. The bill is likely to pass. (See editorial on page 17)
FAILED LEGISLATION
The legislature failed to pass a measure that would legalize recreational-use marijuana and another that would ban reparative therapy for people with unwanted sexual attractions. The conference was against both measures.
On the other hand, the conference was extremely disappointed that legislators refused to hear the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (HB 1624) which sought to prevent the government from substantially burdening the exercise of religion without compelling justification.
Eva Andrade is the communications director for the Hawaii Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Diocese of Honolulu.
