The 2025 legislative session opens on Wednesday January 15th and we will know then whether or not the House is going to amend their rules to achieve greater transparency and accountability – or whether nothing will change and all the talk is just…talk.

At the end of the day on Wednesday we will know who supports positive and reasonable change, and who does not.

While I remain cautiously optimistic, and hopeful – I also know we can assume nothing and must continue to push, encourage, cajole, and nudge each and every representative to support Rules Reform all the way until the final vote.

So please join with me today and every day up until they vote on Wednesday, and contact your district legislator and those listed below with that simple message. “Please support Rules Reform and follow the lead of the House Good Government Caucus.”

The House Good Government Caucus has taken the lead and proposing specific changes that if included in the new rules, will significantly increase transparency and accountability. Please send them an email today or ASAP – and thank them for the good work they’re doing. Short and to the point is fine!

Good Government Caucus
Rep. Della Au Bellati (Chair)
Rep. Terez Amato
Rep. Tina Grandinetti
Rep. Ikaika Hussey
Rep. Kim Coco Iwamoto
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto
Rep. Julie Reyes Oda
Rep. Amy Perruso
Rep. Kanani Souza

Here is a sample “group email” you can cut and paste (but please “make it your own”).

repbelatti@capitol.hawaii.gov, repamato@capitol.hawaii.gov, repgrandinetti@capitol.hawaii.gov, rephussey@capitol.hawaii.gov, repiwamoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, repreyesoda@capitol.hawaii.gov, repperruso@capitol.hawaii.gov, repsouza@capitol.hawaii.gov

Aloha Rep. Belatti and Members of the Good Government Caucus,

Just want to say thank you for the work you’re doing regarding potential rule changes in the House, as well as the other Good Government priorities you’re supporting.

My hope is that on opening day, the House will pass new rules significantly increasing transparency and accountability.

Mahalo for your help in making this happen.
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Separately – Please also send an email to the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure asking them to notify you when they schedule a meeting to discuss and make decisions on their recommendations. Ask them also to support passing new rules that significantly increase transparency and accountability.

House Speaker Nadine Nakamura
Rep. Linda Ichiyama
Rep. Sean Quinlan
Rep. Chris Todd
Rep. Lauren Matsumoto

repnakamura@capitol.hawaii.gov, repichiyama@capitol.hawaii.gov, repmatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, repquinlan@capitol.hawaii.gov, reptodd@capitol.hawaii.gov

Please remind the also, politely and professionally as always…that Rule 20 states clearly, “…Every meeting of a special committee, interim committee, or the Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedure shall be noticed in the same manner as applicable to a standing committee. And…all your asking for is notice!
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Apologies- The above post assumes readers have been following this issue. My bad.

The reforms being proposed by a coalition of community groups and backed by an increasing number of House members are common sense changes to rules governing the basic legislative process.

If passed, the rule changes would require that passage or failure of legislative proposals be based on a committee vote and not by a single individual committee chair.

Yes, it sounds pretty basic.

A bill for a new law is proposed, a public hearing is held, the legislative committee votes, and a decision is made.

Unfortunately this is not the way it currently happens in that big square building on Beretania Street.

Proposed reforms would also require public testimony be made available to the public when submitted, and proposed changes/amendments to legislation disclosed publicly in writing prior to the vote.

Again, this is basic democracy, good government stuff – but not the way it’s now done at the Capitol.

Rules governing the “bill referral process” now allow the House Finance Committee to control every single legislative proposal that’s proposed, even if there’s zero impact on the budget.

Existing rules grant the Finance Chair total control – no exaggeration, no hyperbole. The proposed reforms would eliminate this extreme concentration of power and allow referral to the Finance Committee only those bills that require funding or otherwise have budget implications.

There’s more but the above is probably the most egregious elements that need changing.
Here’s further background on the House Rules movement and examples of the type of Reforms needed.

Mahalo for taking action TODAY and for circulating this message to your networks. It’s important that Representatives hear from citizens that Rules Reform is important.