LEGISLATIVE REPORT
The last month of the legislative session has a lot of action but not much public discussion. At this point, the public can only participate in shaping legislation if they are granted facetime with a legislator. Most deals on bills at this juncture are made behind closed doors in conference committee where legislators work out any disagreements.
That’s where we are.
Housing
Housing bills morphed a lot over the last couple of weeks and are most likely moving toward conference committees. HB 1312 SD 1, a priority bill for Catholic Charities Hawaii, authorizes the use of general obligation bonds into and out of the rental housing revolving fund while carving out a portion to be used to establish permanent supportive housing units for chronically homeless individuals.
Another bill, HB 1193 SD1, amends the income tax credit for expenses for household and dependent care services by changing the taxpayer’s applicable percentage of employment-related expenses.
Minimum wage
Two minimum wage bills are alive but will most certainly end up in conference committee: SB 789 HD 2, which changes minimum wage rates annually unless an employer provides health benefits under the Hawaii Prepaid Health Care Act, and HB 1191 SD 2, which provides an income tax credit for qualifying small businesses to offset the increase in the minimum hourly wage that employers must pay employees. The details of how the increase will work will be the sticking point.
Marijuana
The Senate Ways and Means committee passed the marijuana bill, HB 1383 HD1, which decriminalizes the possession of marijuana (3 grams or less) with a small fine of $30. We were shocked that lawmakers passed this bill while deferring a good bill, SB 1009 HD2, which would have banned the sale of flavored tobacco products (not including menthol).
SB 1009 would also have prohibited mislabeling of e-liquid products containing nicotine, which testifiers said happens often in “vaping” stores. Hawaii has a very high number of teens vaping and reasonable people cannot believe marijuana access is such a high priority for legislators while they ignore a problem highlighted by public health officials.
Palliative care
SB 804 HD1, which establishes a culturally competent pilot program within the Department of Health to provide public education on palliative care, will most likely pass. Both the House and Senate seem amenable to providing more education on this very important issue.
Statute of limitations
The bill that eliminates all statutory limitations on when a victim of childhood sexual abuse may file a lawsuit, HB 18 SD1, will most likely pass this legislative session. Whether the bill passes or not, the Diocese of Honolulu remains committed to ensuring the protection of childhood victims of sexual abuse.
Suicide
Suicide prevention bills are faring well this session. HB 655 HD1, which designates September as Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month passed both chambers and has been sent to the governor for action.
A bill to appropriate funds for youth suicide early intervention, prevention and education initiatives in Kauai, Hawaii and Maui counties, HB 330 SD1, is heading for conference committee. Two additional bills were scheduled for a vote last week: HB 1416 SD 1, a bill to establish a commission to create a strategic plan to reduce suicides in Hawaii’s correctional system, and SB 383 HD1, which requires the Department of Education to establish a youth suicide awareness and prevention training program.
Conversations on issues important to the community of faith must continue both in and out of the legislature. Armed with a solid doctrine of truth and justice for all, the battle continues and much work is yet to be done.
Eva Andrade is the director of the Hawaii Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the Diocese of Honolulu.
