Important Dates
2/16/18 - First Lateral (Bills)
All bills referred to more than one committee (i.e., those with multiple referrals) must move to their final committee in the originating chamber by this day.
3/2/18 - First Decking (Bills)
Deadline for bills to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of the originating chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48 hour opportunity for final review by the chamber’s members before they are asked to vote on the third reading. Note: A bill must pass three readings (votes) in each chamber before being enrolled to the governor.
3/8/18 - First Crossover (Bills)
Deadline for bills to pass third reading in order to move (or “crossover”) to the other chamber. If successful, House bills are sent to the Senate and Senate bills are sent to the House for further consideration.
4/6/18 - Second Decking (Bills)
Deadline for bills that have been amended by the non-originating chamber to emerge from all their committees (with committee reports filed) and be submitted to the clerk of that chamber. This “decking” ensures a mandatory 48 hour opportunity for final review by the non-originating chamber’s members before third reading.
4/12/18 - Second Crossover (Bills) & Disagree
Deadline for bills to pass third reading in their non-originating chamber in order to “cross back” to the originating chamber.
4/26/18 - Final Decking (Non-Fiscal Bills)
Deadline for submitting non-fiscal bills for final reading by both chambers.
5/3/18 - Adjournment Sine Die
In Latin, “sine die” means “without a day specified for future meeting.” Adjournment sine die occurs on the 60th legislative day of a Regular Session, and indicates a suspension of the business of the legislature indefinitely. Next, the Legislature will certify the bills whose form both chambers have agreed to, and will transmit or “enroll” those bills to the Governor. Contact PAR for information regarding the Governor's deadlines.
Download our 2018 Legislative Calendar to keep track of all important dates and deadlines.
Bill Tracker
2018 Bill Tracker (Updated April 16th)
Sample Testimony
HB 2598/SB 2990 - Legislation mandating Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations to establish a paid family leave program by January 1st, 2020
SB 2340 - Legislation enshringing certain aspects of the federal Affordable Care Act under Hawaii law
HB 2922 - Constitutional Amendment authorizing the legislature to levy a property tax on investment properties to fund education
HB 1900 - State budget bill; includes testimony for early learning and early intervention funds
Training
Lobbyist Training
Advocacy Capacity Assessment
How to Develop a Policy Initiative
External Resources