On March 8, 2016, the Hawaii Senate as a whole voted to pass Marsy’s Law (SB 3034, SD1) so it will now switch over for consideration by the House. The House Committee on Judiciary is expected to conduct a hearing on SB 3034, SD1 next week (likely on either Tuesday or Thursday).

So, once again, it’s time to get ready. Those who’ve prepared written testimony should update the caption (shell below) and make sure that any references are changed to bill number SB 3034, SD1. Our team will share the news as soon as the hearing notice comes out so that the date and time for the hearing may be quickly added and the updated testimony submitted. As always, if there isn’t time to prepare written testimony, please go to the Legislature’s website and click “support” for the bill and/or leave a comment. Support in any form makes a huge difference!

Next Actions Needed:

• Encourage at least one other person to submit written testimony or click “support” online. Tell them how easy it is to create an account and then submit testimony online (instructions are below for you to forward). Getting even more people to support the bill will show the Legislators just how important the constitutional amendment is.

• Continue to submit letters to the editor and ask others to do so also. Anything we can do to keep the community talking and learning about the amendment is great.

• Plan to attend the next hearing if you are available. Having a presence at the hearings shows the Legislators that there is continued support for the constitutional amendment.

Thank you so much for your continued support. It shows the Legislators that our community really wants this important constitutional amendment.

Caption for Written Testimony:

TO: Rep. Karl Rhoads, Chair
Rep. Joy A. San Buenaventura, Vice Chair
And Members of the House Committee on Judiciary

FROM: [INSERT YOUR NAME]

SUBJECT: SB 3034, SD1 Proposing an Amendment to Article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to Establish Rights for Victims of Crime

HEARING DATE: March _, 2016, 2:00 p.m.

Instructions for creating an online account:

If you are not a current user of the Capitol on-line system, you must register ahead of time in order to submit testimony. Please do this step several days before the hearing. Go to Capitol.Hawaii.gov, enter the bill number, click “submit testimony”” and you will find a place that directs you to “click here” to register. You will need to provide name, phone, email address and a password of your choosing. The next time you go on the website you just have to enter email address and password to then follow the instructions for “submit testimony.” You will not be able to actually submit testimony until the hearing notice has been sent out – sometimes that happens only 48 hours before the hearing.

Thank you for your support!