Below is a list of priority bills I am following…I’ll do my best to update this list regularly…

At the top will be bills needing immediate action (testimony is needed within 24 hours), next will be bills recently voted on and their results…

All hands on deck! The House Agriculture and Food Systems Chair, Representative Cedric Gates, needs to schedule a hearing for SB3316 (improving Restricted Use Pesticide reporting) this week or the measure will die again this year! Please call AND email him asap and no later than by the end of the day Tuesday 03/19 and strongly encourage/demand (professionally and politely please) that he schedule a hearing by the end of the week. It is critically important that the public have quality data to protect our health.
Chair Cedric Gates – House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems
House District 45 (Wai‘anae, Mākaha)
Hawai‘i State Capitol, Room 441
Phone: 808-586-8460
repgates@capitol.hawaii.gov

Support SB3335 – Legalizes the responsible adult use of cannabis. A hearing before the House Committee on Consumer Protection is scheduled for Tuesday, 03-19-24 2:00PM – Testimony in support of SB3335 must be submitted 24 hours in advance!

HB1807 Greatly reduces/eradicates the Art in Public Places Program. It also significantly and negatively impacts support for Professional Development for ALL DOE teachers, 13 art centers, and 8 organizations that offer Native Hawaiian Arts-based programs that impact 124 public and charter schools on all major islands.
Scheduled for a public hearing on 03-19-24 3:00PM
Please testify in STRONG OPPOSITION to HB1807!
Introduced by Representative Kyle Yamashita (Maui),

SB 2381 – SD2
Clean Elections – Establishes a comprehensive system of public financing for all candidates seeking election to state and county public offices in the State of Hawaiʻi, to begin with the 2028 general election year.
Was heard on 03/14/24 and JHA recommend(s) that the measure be deferred. Email needs to be sent immediately to the Chair and Committee Members expressing disappointment and asking them to reconsider

HB2058 HD1
Establishes requirements and penalties for owners of dangerous dogs.
Scheduled a public hearing on 03-14-24 deferred the measure until 03-19-24

HB2358 HD1
Exempts from environmental impact statement requirements certain affordable housing projects. 
Scheduled for a hearing on 03/14/24
Introduced by Speaker Scott Saiki for Governor Green
Testimony in opposition needed: No projects should be exempted from an environmental impact review without first actually looking at the impacts. The EIS law already allows for exemptions via a simple letter/statement if the responsible agency actually looks at the project and determines the impacts are none to negligible.
Scheduled a public hearing on 03-14-24 and Please oppose HB2358 HD1!
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS

SB3327 SD1
“Free the Water Commission” bill ensures that the Water Commission and its staff can focus on implementing the Water Code and uphold the public trust doctrine, without fear of political interference or retribution – Mahalo Sierra Club of Hawaii for bringing this to our attention!
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS

HB 1595 HD1
Creates a state-initiated process to expunge records of arrests and convictions – the Cannabis Expungement Act. Despite the fact that possession of small amounts of cannabis have already been decriminalized in Hawaii, some persons still have prior arrest records or conviction records for related charges that affect their employment and housing options.
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.

SB 2474 SD2
Paid Family Leave – All workers deserve access to family leave, which is essential in allowing parents to care for newborn keiki and family members who are seriously ill. 
PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS.

SB2759 SD1
The purpose of this Act is to prohibit the State from leasing any public lands, or extending the lease of any public lands, to any individual, corporation, or federal agency that is not in good standing with the State or that has not met all financial, contractual, and legal obligations.The committee(s) on
The House Water and Land Committee led by Representative Linda Ichiyama recommend(s) that the measure be deferred – which means she killed the bill.