Bills sink or swim at session’s midpoint

The Hawaii State Legislature passed the midpoint of the 2018 session last week, with lawmakers considering bills that would allow physician-assisted death, would increase the 5-cent deposit for bottles and cans, and would impose a new mandate for paid family leave.

They are also debating measures that would ban the “bump stock” devices that allow rifles to simulate automatic weapons fire and would create “safe zones” where the homeless can camp.

Lawmakers also are debating an array of proposed tax and fee increases this year that could affect the cost of cigarettes, timeshares, vacation rentals, rental cars, electric vehicles, online purchases, new cars, and more.

Even property taxes could be affected under a bill that would ask voters to give lawmakers the power to impose a new surcharge on hotels and residential investment properties to help fund public education.

The Legislature is scheduled to adjourn for the year on May 3.

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What does it take for a bill to become a law in Hawaii?

About 90 percent of bills don’t become law, and ideas may have to be presented year after year before they gain traction and move forward. Bills only can be introduced during legislative session. They advance through their originating chamber, crossover to the other, and then are finalized for presentation to the governor.

Introduction

Only Hawaii’s 51 Representatives and 25 Senators can introduce bills during a limited time during the legislative session.

Committee hearings

Each bill is referred to one or more committees soon after it is introduced, and upon crossing over to the other chamber. To pass and move forward, it must be scheduled to be “heard” and decided on by the committees. If it doesn’t get heard and passed, it dies.

Floor votes

Successfully pass three votes (“readings”) in both the full House and Senate chambers. Third reading takes place after the bill has made it through the committees. There may be a lot of debate on the chamber floor when a bill is up for its third and final reading.

Final agreement

Both the House and Senate must agree on exact wording. A bill can die even after it has successfully made it through all its committees and three readings. A conference committee may be assigned to come up with the wording all can agree on. The final version must be voted on by each chamber.

Enactment

Signed or allowed to become law by the governor, or have the House and Senate successfully override the governor’s veto.

Source: State of Hawaii Public Access Room

How major bills fared at the Capitol by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd