Senate Majority Caucus

The Senate Committee on Judiciary and Labor has approved a bill that would protect reporters from having to disclose their information and sources.

Committee members voted unanimously this morning to pass House Bill 2557, the so-called “shield law” that has attracted attention over the past few months from the attorney general, the Hawai`i Supreme Court, the county prosecutor, the police department, the Society of Professional Journalists and numerous other media-related entities. (more…)

The House Committee on Finance passed legislation yesterday that would propose an amendment to the state constitution to lower the age required for Hawai`i’s governor or lieutenant governor. Senate Bill 966, introduced last session by Sen. David Ige (`Aiea-Pearl City), would ask citizens on an election ballot whether or not to change the requirement from 30 to 25.

“There are many outstanding, qualified, and experienced candidates under 30 who are unable to run for the office of governor or lieutenant governor because of the current arbitrary age restriction…” the bill says. (more…)

Senate President Colleen Hanabusa today announced that three state senators will voluntarily shift their committee assignments for the next legislative session, and a new committee will be created.        

(more…)