Democracy Reform Task Force to Advance Legislation on Redistricting, Government Accountability and Voting Access. Senator Stanley Chang is among twelve young state legislators from across the country who have launched the Democracy Reform Task Force to advance legislation on redistricting, government accountability, and access to voting. The lawmakers are reaching across state and party lines with the goal of finding innovative solutions to government reform and sharing their findings with lawmakers across the nation. The legislators have joined Millennial Action Project’s (MAP) national effort to support young elected officials as they work to break through partisan gridlock and reestablish political cooperation on issues that millennials care about. “Partisan gridlock has caused millennials to lose trust in our government and civic institutions, and has caused them to check out of the political process,” said Steven Olikara, Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “The Democracy Reform Task Force is made up of trailblazers who have shown they will prioritize progress over party. Working together, these young lawmakers will lead the nation in finding innovative, legislative solutions to make our government more accountable, transparent, and functional. The Democracy Reform Task Force was born from MAP’s initiative to rebuild trust in our government in order to encourage civic engagement, particularly amongst younger generations. According to Harvard IOP's 2017 survey, 67 percent of Millennials are fearful of America's future, and just 14 percent believe our nation is headed in the right direction. However, a counter-movement is emerging – led by Millennials – that seeks to disrupt the status quo in government. “Access to government, accountability of elected officials, and increasing the ability of eligible voters to exercise that right shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” said Sen. Chang (Dist. 9 - Hawai‘i Kai, Kuli‘ou‘ou, Niu, ‘Aina Haina, Wai‘alae-Kahala, Diamond Head). “I look forward to being a part of the Democracy Reform Task Force and help increase the number of young voters in Hawai‘i and boost our generation’s trust in government and our democracy.” A complete list of Democracy Reform Task Force members is below: Rep. Shevrin Jones (D-FL) Rep. Warwick Sabin (D-AR) Rep. Stephanie Clayton (R-KS) Senator Frank LaRose (R-OH) Rep. Amanda Stuck (D-WI) Senator Art Linares (R-CT) Rep. Caroline Simmons (D-CT) Senator Stanley Chang (D-HI) Rep. Chaz Beasley (D-NC) Rep. Jonathan Brostoff (D-WI) Rep. Michael Caldwell (R-GA) Rep. David Olsen (R-IL) The Millennial Action Project (MAP) is a national, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to activating young policymakers to bridge the partisan divide and lead a new era of collaborative governance. In 2013, MAP organized America’s first-ever bipartisan caucus for young members of Congress, the Congressional Future Caucus. Shaping the next generation of leadership, MAP's Future Caucus Network has expanded into fifteen state legislatures and grown into the largest nonpartisan organization of millennial elected officials in the U.S. More info available at: www.millennialaction.org. # # # #stanleychang #shevrinjones #warwicksabin #millennials #MAP #MillennialActionPlan #DemocracyReformTaskForce #StevenOlikara

Those addicted to drugs would get a boost in their fight to combat their illness under Senate Bill 2010, which was advanced by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health (CPH) on February 1. SB2010 would appropriate $1 million to healthcare providers, vendors and contractors to treat dependents of prescription drugs, opioids, methamphetamine, heroin, and other habit-forming substances. SB2010 contends that drug treatment is a cost-effective way to reduce drug abuse when compared to the costs of law enforcement, interdiction, and source control, due to lower costs per offender and lower recidivism rates. "It complements everything that we're doing now to give addicts another chance at life," said SenatorWill Espero (Dist. 19 – Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of Ewa Villages), who introduced the bill and is a member of CPH. The majority of the testimony was in support of SB2010. "Drug abuse is not a criminal issue, but rather a disease of the mind," according to testimony submitted by Muhammad Talha Quadri, a University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa student studying social work. "I believe this bill is a step in the right direction, because it focuses on treating the problem rather than trying to prevent it through strict punishments. The evidence is all around us: prevention through scare tactics does not work, but treatment does." According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drug overdose deaths in Hawai‘i have increased by 83 percent from 2006 to 2014, a growth rate more than double the national average, and a majority of those deaths are a result of prescription opioids and heroin. SB2010 now goes before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means for consideration. # # # #willespero #hawaiisenate #opiod #healthcare #sb2010muhammadtalhaquadri #CDC #CenterforDiseaseControlandPrevention

HAWAI‘I WOMEN’S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS STATEMENT ON SEXUAL HARASSMENT We do not condone any form of sexual harassment. We cannot comment on the current situation but this highlights the fact that there may not have been safeguards in place to assure that women are able to report their complaints without the fear of retaliation. This is an opportunity for us to review our procedures to ensure that any person who has a complaint can report such claim with confidentiality. We request that the administration do the same. # # # The Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus is a bi-partisan organization comprised of women legislators in the House and Senate, as well as the County level, who support an agenda designed to improve the lives of women, children, and families in Hawai‘i. #SexualHarassment #Hawaiiwomenslegislativecaucus

Two measures that are part of the Hawai‘i Women’s Legislative Caucus bill package addressing violence against women were advanced by the Senate Committee on Judiciary today. SB2345 addresses the backlog on rape kits by creating a Hawai‘i Sexual Assault Team to address how sexual assault evidence collection kits are processed and tracked. The bill also informs an inventory and report of sexual assault evidence collection kits as to ensure their processing and results reporting in a timely manner and establishes a tracking system to track the kits through the criminal justice system. The Act 207 Report, released in December 2016, identified a total of 2,240 rape kits in the custody of county police departments, 1,951 of which remained untested. SB2346 increases protection for survivors of domestic abuse, sexual assault and stalking by establishes a program to help victims keep their relocation and addresses confidential. An address confidentiality program would enhance survivors’ safety and privacy and provide them security and peace of mind. If the bill becomes law, Hawaii would join thirty-six other states that already implement these protections. #karlrhoads #briantaniguchi #mikegabbard #donnamercadokim #laurathielen #SB2345 #HawaiiSeualAssaultTeam #Act207 #hawaiisenate

Lt. Governor Shan Tsutsui today was honored for his 15 years of public service by his former Legislative colleagues on the Senate Floor. Senators praised Tsutsui for the work he has done during his term as Lt. Governor including spearheading the Farm-to-School initiative and the After School All-Stars program. He was also recognized for his sacrifice of family time while serving in the Senate and at the Executive level of government. Tsutsui’s last day as Lt. Governor was today after announcing his resignation earlier this week. More Photos on our Hawai'i Senate Majority Flickr Photo Account #ShanTsutsui #BrickwoodGaluteria #mikegabbard #kaialiikahele #willespero #donnamercadokim #gilriviere #donovandelacruz #laurathielen #lorraineinouye #stanleychang #maileshimabukuro #GilbertKeithAgaran #MaileShimabukuro #breeneharimoto #LesIharaJr #karlrhoads #BrianTaniguchi #ronkouchi #michellekidani #jkalanienglish #rozbaker #jillkuramoto #jilltokuda #clarencenishihara #glennwakai #hawaiisenate #FarmtoSchool

HONOLULU, Hawai‘i – Residents of Front Street apartments on the island of Maui can finally see a glimmer of hope, as the Senate Housing Committee today advanced Senate Bill 2293 that would mandate the State to start negotiations to either keeping the units affordable, or to acquire the property. Many of the tenants were not aware of the pending threat of being homeless. The apartment owners recently opted to take out the affordability requirements, a discretion linked to the property's development. The change would let them rent the apartments at housing market rates, increasing rental costs to much more than residents can afford. If SB2293 becomes law, the tenants, surrounding community, and the island of Maui would benefit from this state intervention, according to the bill. If an agreement to either extending the affordable rents or acquire the property is not made within a reasonable time, state public and private funds would provide the financing for the acquisition. Like every community, Maui residents are the heartbeat of its character and culture. In recent years, they have fallen under the weight of the housing market. "The Front Street apartment issue is just one example of how we at the Legislature can make a difference," said Sen. Will Espero (Dist. 19 - ‘Ewa Beach, Ocean Pointe, ‘Ewa by Gentry, Iroquois Point, portion of ‘Ewa Villages), Chair of the Senate Committee on Housing. "Hawai‘i's cost of living is the highest in the nation, and it's a shame that families struggle in our communities. Passing SB 2293 will help many working-class families with affordable housing." "I have lived here for the past twelve years and expected to live here until I die," according to Kathryn Snyder, a long-time Fort Street resident, who submitted testimony for the hearing. "I am 82 years old, I retired to Maui for 23 years ago and live on the same income. I do not want to become homeless. This is very stressful not knowing what is going to happen." The Front Street apartments in Lahaina, Maui provide affordable housing to more than 250 low-income residents. They were built in 2001 as an affordable rental housing project, using state financing and tax credits. # # # #willespero #hawaiisenate #sb2293 #maui #committeeonhousing #ewabeach #kathrynsnyder #frontstreetapartments #lahaina

A bill to integrate the Hawaiian language into fundamental functions of our state was passed with amendments by a joint Senate committee on Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education and Judiciary. Senate Bill 2687 appropriates funds to the University of Hawai‘i to translate the Hawai‘i State Constitution into the Hawaiian language. Part two of the measure requires the courts to provide Hawaiian language translation services upon request of any party to a proceeding. There was an overwhelming show of support for the bill during today’s hearing that included a Hawaiian language translator to provide translation for those who testified in Hawaiian. SB2687, SD1 now goes before the Senate Committee on Ways and Means for consideration. #SB2687 #hawaiianlanguage #universityofHawaii #jkalanienglish #kaialiikahele #BrickwoodGaluteria #michellekidani #gilriviere #GilbertKeithAgaran #maileshimabukuro #stanleychang #donnamercadokim #mikegabbard

WHO: Senate Committees on Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education, Judiciary and Labor WHAT: Committee Hearing on Hawaiian Language Bill WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 9:00 a.m. WHERE: Conference Room 211 Hawai‘i State Capitol A bill to integrate the Hawaiian language into fundamental functions of our state is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Committees on Hawaiian Affairs, Higher Education and Judiciary on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 9:00 a.m. in Conference Room 211. Senate Majority Leader, J. Kalani English (Dist. 7-Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi and Kahoʻolawe) introduced Senate Bill 2687, which would appropriate funds to the University of Hawaiʻi to translate the Hawaiʻi State Consititution into the Hawaiian language. The proposed measure includes a part two which addresses the constitutional issue of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi as one of two official state language. It would require courts to provide Hawaiian language translation service upon request of any party to a proceeding. The Hawaiʻi State Senate has long been committed to the implementation and usage of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in its daily operations. Since 2015, the Senate Order of the Day has been posted in both Hawaiian and English with the usage of Hawaiian diacritical markings in its public records. The Senate Committees on Water and Land and Hawaiian Affairs also launched a Hawaiian language hearing notice pilot project in 2017 as part of the Senate’s continuing initative recognizing the state’s two official langauges. “Up until the early 20th century, government operations in Hawaiʻi were conducted almost entirely in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi,” said Sen. English. “SB2687 is a natural progression in the revitalization and implementation of ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi in government affairs. We are committed to ensuring equal access for all to services in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi ” #jkalanienglish #hawaiianaffairs #hawaiisenate #SenatorEnglish #Olelo #sb2687

SENATE PRESIDENT STATEMENT ON LT. GOV. RESIGNATION HONOLULU, Hawai‘i - Senate President Ronald D. Kouchi released the following statement on receiving the news that Shan Tsutsui will resign as Lieutenant Governor effective January 31, 2018: "While it was known that Lieutenant Governor Shan Tsutsui would not be seeking re-election to his current office, being informed that the effective date of his resignation is in two days leaves me with mixed emotions. While I am personally happy that Shan is able to spend more time with his family, who has sacrificed in order for Shan to serve Maui, the State Senate, and the State of Hawai‘i, I am professionally saddened because Shan's resignation leaves a gaping hole in our current political fabric. With regard to the soon to be vacant Office of the Lieutenant Governor, I am not interested in becoming the next Lieutenant Governor of the State of Hawai‘i.” #ronkouchi #RonaldKouchi #LieutenantGovernor #ShanTsutsui

WHO: Sen. Clarence Nishihara, Sen. Donna Mercado Kim WHAT: Informational Briefing WHERE: Conference Room 224 Hawai‘i State Capitol WHEN: Tuesday, January 30, 2018 2:45 p.m. In light of the recent high profile suicide and suicide attempts within the state and county correctional institutions, Senators Clarence Nishihara (Dist. 17 - Waipahu, Crestview, Manana, Pearl City, Pacific Palisades) Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, Intergovernmental and Military Affairs, and Senator Donna Mercado Kim (Dist. 14 - Kapalama, ‘Alewa, Kalihi Valley, Ft. Shafter, Moanalua Gardens & Valley, portions of Halawa and ‘Aiea) Chair of the Committee on Government Operations, are convening an informational briefing on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at 2:45 p.m. in Conference Room 224 to receive an update on protocols concerning suicide prevention and solitary confinement. The Hawai‘i State Department of Public Safety (DPS) has been asked to present to the Legislature all internal studies, reports and evaluations completed by the Research and Evaluation in Public Safety Project conducted by the Social Science Research Institute of the College of Social Sciences at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa. The data and research collected through these studies can be important to addressing policy and protocol issues within DPS. To view the informational briefing notice: https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session2018/hearingnotices/HEARING_PSM-GVO_01-30-18_INFO_.HTM For further information or if you require auxiliary aids or services to participate in the informational briefing (i.e. ASL or foreign language interpreter, or wheelchair accessibility), please contact the Office of Sen. Nishihara at 808-586-6970 at least 24 hours prior to the hearing to make arrangements. # # # #clarencenishihara #donnamercadokim #SUICIDEpreventionprotocol #solitaryconfinement

Hawaii State Senators today honored the national-recognized work and an outstanding graduate of an innovative program that brings together industry leaders in media, music and design, and partners them with creative entrepreneurs. Creative Lab Hawai‘i is a branch of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. More than 1,500 participants participated in the immersive programs and workshops from 2013-2017. These collaborative efforts resulted in a number of creative ventures, including three motion pictures, six options, five web-series, one app, and six licensed songs. Through their work, Creative Lab Hawai‘i is a major contributor to the $3.6 billion creative sector industry in the State of Hawai‘i. The program has become so successful, it has expanded to the neighbor islands. Recognized on the Senate floor was Creative Lab Hawai‘I Executive Director, Michael Andres Palmieri, and screenwriter and producer Amy Alohilani Bircher. Michael Andres Palmieri is a veteran writer and producer, having worked with production companies including Walt Disney, Warner Brothers, and Twentieth Century Fox. For the past 20 years, he has also been designing, facilitating, and producing training and development programs for media entrepreneurs and has been fundamental in bringing together local creative talent with Hollywood media sources. Mr. Palmieri was recognized for championing the arts and supporting Hawai‘i creatives. Amy Alohilani Bircher is Hawai‘i born and raised and found a love for writing early. She was among seven applicants selected to participate in the Creative Labs Hawai‘i Writers Immersive program last year. Through the program, she was hired to help write several screenplays. She also recently wrote a Lifetime mini-movie that aired on December 3, 2017 titled “Delivering Christmas.” The Senate applauds entrepreneurial leadership and recognizes both Mr. Palmieri and Mrs. Bircher for their work in the creative industry. #hawaiisenators #hawaiisenate #creativelabhawaii #Michaelandrespalmieri #amyBircher

Hawai‘i State Senators today were joined on the floor of the Senate Chamber by international exchange students who are part of the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) program. As part of this annual program, students are paired with Legislators for an opportunity to increase their knowledge of U.S. government and to share their own cultural heritage. The students’ full day at the Hawai‘i State Senate included shadowing a Senator and a group meeting with the Governor. The FLEX program provides for high school students from a number of former Soviet Union countries an opportunity to experience the important elements of a civil society. The goal of this program is democracy-building—exposing future leaders to democratic systems and the free market economy. A primary focus of the program is civic responsibility and volunteerism. Funded by U.S. Congress, this program seeks to empower students to develop leadership skills that will be useful in their countries of origin.