Here is a short but long list of important bills that need your/our attention today. Please – Take the time to submit something even if it is short and to the point. This may be the last chance for you to do so and it’s important to show there is strong community support.
And yes, if you happen to miss the “24 hours in advance” deadline, it’s ok. The testimony will be marked “late” but it will still be included in the public testimony file and committee members will still be provided a copy.
So please join me if you can! Most of you know the routine but for the “newbies”…just go to https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov and “register” at the top or “sign-in” if already registered. Next: Either click on testimony, enter the bill # SB### (no spaces), and follow instructions. Or, if you would like to read more about the bill first, then enter the Bill # in the “Bill Status” spot on the main https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov page and use the testimony link found there to submit.
Please take the time to figure it out – it’s easy really. Once you are registered and use the system once or twice, it’s really quite easy to maneuver.
Bills/Resolutions To Support
HR131 AND HCR155 – URGING THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY TO RESIST LOCATING THE PROPOSED HOMELAND DEFENSE RADAR-HAWAII WITHIN THE STATE
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HR&billnumber=131&year=2021
HR104 AND HCR128 – Free and Fair Elections – REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PROPOSE AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ON CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM THAT WILL RESTORE BALANCE AND INTEGRITY TO OUR NATIONAL SYSTEM OF CAMPAIGN FINANCE Support and amending the legislation (HCR128) to call for a limited Article V convention to propose a campaign finance reform amendment that will end the era of Citizens United.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HCR&billnumber=128&year=2021
SB159 – Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) – Automatically registers those who are eligible to vote upon their application for a motor vehicle driver’s license or identification card unless the applicant affirmatively declines.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=159&year=2021
SB335 – Requires the Agribusiness Development Corporation and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture to annually lease at least 50% of its land to local food production businesses. Though the preference is to abolish the ADC, we are suggesting supporting SB335 with amendments to:
* Mandate the prioritization of regenerative farming operations that utilize soil and water conservation practices.
* Adding a representative of an environmental organization, indigenous farming practitioners, and an organic/natural farmer to the ADC board.
* Require a comprehensive plan for the future of Hawaiʻi’s agricultural lands and overall food system. The planning process must involve small food producers, food systems planners, farmers steeped in organic and natural farming practices, and individuals who partake in Native Hawaiian food systems restoration projects from each island
SB338 – Requires the department of agriculture to establish a 5-year food hub pilot program to increase access to local food.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=338&year=2021
HB576 Allows Advanced Practice Registered Nurses to provide in-clinic early abortions. Provides increased access to reproductive health services for neighbor-island residents.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=576&year=2021
SB1243 – Requires the State to phase out the use of private correctional facilities to incarcerate Hawaii inmates.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1243&year=2021
SB1260 – Eliminates the use of monetary bail and requires defendants to be released on their own recognizance for traffic offenses, violations, and nonviolent petty misdemeanor and misdemeanor offenses, with certain exceptions.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1260
Must Read Restore Justice. End The Cash Bail System – Civil Beat
https://www.civilbeat.org/2021/02/restore-justice-end-the-bail-system/
HB433 – Assesses a climate change mitigation impact fee on every customer who rents, leases, or utilizes a rental motor vehicle.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=433
HB767 – Establishes a programmatic goal for the department of education that at least thirty percent of food served in public schools shall consist of locally sourced products
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=767
HB1352 – Requires: (1) an inventory of lands within the State that are leased or controlled by the federal government; (2) any known contaminants or environmental hazards associated with the inventoried lands; (3) proposed alternative uses for the lands; and (4) proposed legislation, based on this information.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=1352
HB243 – Identify existing and planned facilities that are vulnerable to sea-level rise, flooding impacts, and natural hazards; assess mitigation impacts of sea-level rise.
https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=HB&billnumber=243
GaryHooser's Blog 
Thank you, Gary, for your blog. I need someone to point out what’s going on. I wanted to share my testimony with you. I didn’t see an email address. I hope this doesn’t mess up your comment section.
I just submitted testimony supporting SB 350.
Here is a copy:
Honorable members of Hawaii’s legislature:
I am a registered voter, parent, and full-time Maui resident. I completely support SB350 SD2 which requires water quality testing during brown water advisories and commits the department of health to informing the public of associated health risks. I am astounded this has to be legislated and is not a matter of common practice.
Ensuring we have an environment that is both beautiful and healthy for our community is a matter of constitutional law, as outlined in article IX, sections 7 and 8, of our Hawaii’s state constitution. I would further point out that allowing ill conditions to be unchecked, and to go without censure, could spread diseases to our children, our kupuna, whether kanaka maoli or kamaaina. This would be a flagrant disregard of public safety, as per article IX, section 10.
I strongly urge you to pass this measure.
Respectfully,
Dezireen Austin
By the way, you should connect your account to an instagram account, possibly even TikTok. There is some amazing political disruption going on those two platforms and you could reach a larger audience.
Take care and bless you for your good work.
D
On Mon, Mar 15, 2021 at 8:30 AM GaryHooser’s Blog wrote:
> garyhooser posted: “I’ve been getting email this morning requesting an > update on bills that have been scheduled and that need testimony in > support. So…below is a short but long list of bills that rise to a level of > importance for me on this Monday morning – sufficiently m” >
Great testimony Dezireen. Thank you for sending it in and for sharing. I agree I need to step up my game on social media. Thanks for the nudge!
Dear Gary,
Isn’t SB 502 just a restatement of the constitution? Or am I reading that wrong?
Respectfully,
D Austin
On Mon, Mar 15, 2021 at 8:30 AM GaryHooser’s Blog wrote:
> garyhooser posted: “I’ve been getting email this morning requesting an > update on bills that have been scheduled and that need testimony in > support. So…below is a short but long list of bills that rise to a level of > importance for me on this Monday morning – sufficiently m” >
SB502 inserts this language into a “Bill of Rights” section of the constitution which does not now have this language. In other sections, there are also strong protections but this makes it even more strong. Section . Each person has a right to a clean and healthy environment, including pure water, clean air and healthy ecosystems, and to the preservation of the natural, cultural, scenic and healthful qualities of the environment. This provision and the rights stated herein are self-executing. The reserved rights stated herein are equivalent to other protected inherent and inalienable rights.”