News
Moving into Conference…
So the bill you’re interested in has survived both the House and the Senate… only trouble is, they’ve each passed different versions of the bill! What next?
Your bill is most likely destined for conference committee — where assigned Representatives and Senators will attempt to negotiate a final version of the bill. Numerous other bills in this situation are also being worked on in conference, and the final versions of the bills need…
Read more… Moving into Conference…
Resolutions
Around this time, we see a lot of hearings on resolutions — these measures are quite a bit different from bills.
Want to learn more? Check out this month’s newsletter for answers to some frequently asked questions.
Almost at First Crossover
The deadline for all House Bills to successfully pass through all of the committees that they were referred to and pass three readings on the House floor is Thursday, March 12th. It’s the same deadline for all Senate Bills to successfully pass through all of the committees they were referred to and pass three readings on the Senate floor.
What next? They crossover to the other chamber (House bills go…
Read more… Almost at First Crossover
Handy Pocket Directories are Here
The incredibly handy, pocket-sized “Hawaii Directory of Public Officials 2015″ (which lists contact information for Hawaii’s legislators) is here. And once again its publisher, the Hawaii Institute of Public Affairs (HIPA), has generously provided the Public Access Room with an ample supply for distribution to our patrons.
There’s a handy mobile app as well (d.hipaonline.com).
Stop in (Room 401, State Capitol) and pick up a copy — and take a few more to distribute…
Read more… Handy Pocket Directories are Here
2015 Session has Started! Where are the Bills?
From January 21st through January 29th, we’ll see thousands of bills introduced… Here’s how to find them…
On The Hawaii State Legislature’s website, click on the “Reports and Lists” icon that appears near center screen.
You’ll be interested in the first two links that appear on the right:
House Bills with Action Taken in…
Read more… 2015 Session has Started! Where are the Bills?
Miss the recent informational briefing? Watch it whenever you like
If a committee hearing or informational briefing aired as part of the Legislative Broadcast Project, you can watch it at your leisure by going to the Senate and House broadcast pages.
Here’s how to navigate to those pages:
On the right-hand side of the Legislature’s website, go to the box under the picture of the Capitol and find the Broadcasts link.On the Broadcasts page, select…
Read more… Miss the recent informational briefing? Watch it whenever you like
Interested in the Proposed Constitutional Amendments?
In addition to the candidates we’ll be selecting on Election Day (11/4/14), voters will be asked whether or not five proposed changes should be made to the Hawaii Constitution.
The Questions
The questions that will appear on your ballot can be found on the Office of Elections website. Go to the “Factsheets” page, then select “Constitutional Amendment Questions…
Read more… Interested in the Proposed Constitutional Amendments?
Governor’s Intent-to-Veto List
The Governor has provided a list of the bills he may veto. To find the list, and easy links to the bills and their status sheets:
Go to the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov); Click on the “Reports and Lists” button; Scroll down to the “Governor’s Actions” section, and click…
Read more… Governor’s Intent-to-Veto List
An Index to the Bills that Passed the 2014 Legislature
The Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB) has published its handy report, “Supplemental Information relating to Bills Passed by the Hawaii State Legislature, Regular Session of 2014.” While the title’s a mouthful, the report itself is concise, and offers timely and useful information.
Note that while the bills listed (there are 245 of them) have passed the legislature, only those showing an act number (as of today,…
Read more… An Index to the Bills that Passed the 2014 Legislature
Session’s Pau! (What now?)
The 2014 Legislative Session came to a close on May 1st, but the process continues.
If a bill you were interested in passed the legislature, you may want to let the Governor know if you think he should sign or veto it. See PAR’s April newsletter for the Governor’s deadlines and contact information. Unsure of what actually passed? Check out the…
Read more… Session’s Pau! (What now?)