News
Welcome to Conference
The House and Senate have posted their joint 2012 Conference Procedures on the Legislature’s homepage. Have questions about this stage of the process? Feel free to contact the Public Access Room at [email protected] or 808/587-0478.
First Crossover. What’s Survived?
We’ve just passed a major deadline — First Crossover. The majority of bills introduced will have failed to make it this far, and you can access a quick report that will show you the bills that have survived, their current descriptions and status. It’s a great time to scan what’s still alive to make sure you’re aware of the legislation that’s moving forward. Something that started out as a bill you…
Read more… First Crossover. What’s Survived?
They’re in!
The booklets have arrived.
The incredibly handy, pocket-sized “Hawaii Directory of Public Officials 2012″ (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.
Come on by (Room 401, State Capitol) and pick up a copy — and take a few more to distribute to your family,…
Read more… They’re in!
2012 Legislative Session Calendar
Aloha, and Happy New Year!
The 2012 Legislative Session Calendar has now been established and the Public Access Room has created a color-coded version. It helps distinguish “bill,” “resolution,” and “budget” deadlines from one another. As ever, useful information relating to all the various deadlines appears on the reverse side. Download it from here: https://hawaii.gov/lrb/par/fyi/calendar12.pdf .
PAR’s November Newsletter — A Guide to the Legislature’s Website
The Public Access Room’s (PAR’s) November 2011 newsletter walks you through the changes to the Hawaii State Legislature’s website, and highlights the new features. Take a moment and explore the changes now, before the Session starts up in January. It’s available on the PAR website.
And remember, PAR’s there to help – don’t hesitate to call (808/587-0478) or email ([email protected])!
Hawaii Legislature’s Website: New and Improved!
The Hawaii Legislature’s website, www.capitol.hawaii.gov, has been re-designed and is better than ever for folks wanting to easily and effectively participate in the State legislative process. New features include the ability to set up your own measure tracking list and a dashboard style homepage that allows you to immediately access information without having to navigate through additional pages.
Check it out now,…
Read more… Hawaii Legislature’s Website: New and Improved!
FREE Workshop on Maui
The Public Access Room’s free workshop, “We the Powerful,” comes to Maui September 12th through 15th. Learn how to help shape Hawaii’s laws! Find the schedule on the PAR workshops page.
LRB’s Latest Report is a Great Resource
Check out the Legislative Reference Bureau’s (LRB’s) Supplemental Information Relating to Bills Passed.
This LRB report is helpful in tracking the measures that have been sent to the Governor. It includes a subject index, a list of the HRS sections affected by bills that have passed, and even a summary of the total appropriations included in the executive budget bill.
Legislative Statistics for Regular Session of 2011
The 2011 Regular Session is pau — adjournment sine die was on May 5, 2011. Of the 3,224 bills introduced, a total of 252 bills passed out of the Legislature and were sent on to the Governor.
The following table provides an overall number of Bills, Acts, and Vetoes (as of May 9, 2011). Updates on these statistics — which will change as bills are signed, vetoed, or allowed to…
Read more… Legislative Statistics for Regular Session of 2011
Conference Procedures
The Conference Procedures have been agreed upon, and they’re conveniently located on the Legislature’s home page. Take a look here!
While both the House and Senate rules discuss conference committees to some extent (from www.capitol.hawaii.gov, go to “House” or “Senate” then “Rules”), these “procedures” clarify specific agreements on items such as public notice, what to do if a quorum isn’t met, and deadlines for providing final drafts.