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Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Opening Day: Be an Effective Citizen-Activist

By Brett Kulbis @ 4:33 PM :: 5539 Views
 

This is my continuing effort to keep you informed of our progress and to provide information as we change the political landscape on Oahu.

Aloha Republicans,

This Wednesday, January 16, 2019 the 30th Legislative session will begin. Our voice and opinions are powerful. Our legislators were elected to represent our concerns. It is up to us to voice concerns and to make our voice heard. If we take the time to convey our thoughts to our elected officials and follow up with them, our message will have great impact, but we all must get involved, we must all become Citizen Activists.

To become an effective Citizen Activist, you must learn how to track a measure you’re interested in, and that requires knowing how our State Legislature works.  Here are the steps you can take to prepare yourself for the 2019 Legislative session.

Step 1 – Hawaii State Legislature: A Quick Overview. The government of the State of Hawaii is structured with a system of checks and balances so that power is not confined to just one branch. There are three separate but equal branches whose powers are outlined in the Constitution of the State of Hawaii.  

Step 2 – Create your account on the Legislature’s website that will allow you to track measures and submit vital testimony. 

Step 3 – Spend some time familiarizing yourself with the Legislature’s website. 

Step 4 – Familiarize yourself with how a bill or resolution are handled.  Also learn how to use the Measure Tracking Tool to allow you to follow those bills or resolutions you’re interested in.    

Step 5 – Sign up to receive email notification of upcoming committee hearings.  This is a great way to be made aware when a measure you’re interested in is going to receive a committee hearing so that you can submit testimony and/or attend the hearing to testify in person. 

Step 6 – Learn how to write and submit testimony online.

References
Addendum 1 – State Senate
Addendum 2 – State House of Representatives
Addendum 3 – 2019 Legislative Calendar
Addendum 4 – 2019 Hawaii State Senate Leadership and Committee Assignments
Addendum 5 – 2019 Hawaii State House of Representatives Leadership and Committee Assignments
Addendum 6 – Committee Information for Submitting Testimony

2019 Key Dates

Date Event
3 Dec - 15 Feb Neighborhood Board Online Candidate Registration
16 January Opening Day 2019 State Legislature
1-14 February Precinct Election Meetings
19 February Lincoln Day Dinner
30 March Honolulu County Convention
April County Committee Meeting
26 April - 17 May Honolulu Neighborhood Board Elections
11 May State Convention
June County Committee Meeting
July County Committee Meeting
August County Committee Meeting
September County Committee Meeting
October County Committee Meeting
November County Committee Meeting

 

Links

Respectfully,

Brett Kulbis
Honolulu County Chairman

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