When the 2020 Legislative session reconvenes Monday, lawmakers will work to revise the state budget bill to avoid any draconian budget cuts to wages or services, and to plug a $1 billion hole in the budget caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The reconvened legislative session is expected to last from six to nine working days. The Senate floor session will convene at 11:30 a.m. and the House floor session will convene at noon. Lawmakers will have a reconfigured seating arrangement to conform to physical distancing.
During the session, the Hawaii State Capitol will be secured and closed to the general public. Only lawmakers and essential staff will be given access to the building.
These restrictions aim to limit any possible coronavirus infections and to protect the health and safety of everyone working at the Capitol. The measures are compelled by Gov. David Ige's statewide stay-at-home order, which remains in effect through May 31.
Even though the public is not physically allowed into the building, there are many ways you can participate in the process and contribute to the outcome of proposed legislation.
Meetings will be televised on ‘Ōlelo Community Television, live-streamed online here, and shown on public television stations on the neighbor islands. The channels may vary so go to www.olelo.org for the latest information.
The public can also watch as lawmakers work through the budget process with hearings live-streamed and televised on ‘Ōlelo. Click for broadcast information for the House and Senate. Viewing links will be available shortly before each meeting begins.
The public can also participate by submitting written testimony on specific bills. All hearing notices are posted on the Legislative website.
Pay attention to testimony instructions listed on the hearing notice. Committees ask that testimony be submitted 24 hours prior to a hearing.
Testimony should indicate:
- Testifier's name with position/title and organization;
- The committee(s) to which the comments are directed;
- The date and time of the hearing;
- Measure number.
Submit testimony in ONE of the following ways:
- WEB: For testimony less than 20MB in size, transmit from http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/submittestimony.aspx; or
- FAX: For testimony less than five pages in length, transmit to 586-6201 (Oahu) or 1-800-535-3859 (for neighbor islanders without a computer to submit testimony through the Web).
Testimony submitted will be placed on the legislative website and on the bill’s status page. Written testimony will be posted for the public on the Capitol website when you are including personal information in your feedback on bills and proposals.
The Legislature has been in recess since March 17 when Sen. Clarence Nishihara (D, Waipahu, Crestview, Manana, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades) tested positive for the coronavirus.
Click here more information on the legislative process and how to contact your lawmakers.