Rep. Nakamura's Speech on House Bill 2739 (Death With Dignity) Receives Nationwide Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS  MARCH 07, 2018- As mentioned in many national publications.

HONOLULU — The Hawaii House has approved a bill that would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to terminally ill patients.

The House’s action on Tuesday sends the measure to the Senate, which last year overwhelmingly approved a similar bill.

The proposal would allow physicians to prescribe life-ending medication to a mentally-capable patient with less than six months to live.

The patient must be able to take the medication themselves and would be required to undergo a mental health consultation.

Supporters say the bill has some of the strongest safeguards in the nation, but critics say they want more to improve enforcement and prevent abuse.

Democrat state Rep. Nadine Nakamura, who supports the bill, spoke about the loss of her father and brother.

‘‘In the end, when they could no longer walk and take care of themselves, both wanted the choice to die with dignity,’’ Nakamura said. ‘‘This bill is about giving people a choice.’’

California, Colorado, Oregon, Vermont, Washington state and the District of Columbia have already legalized medical aid in dying.

Mentioned In:

1. The Boston Globe

2. Chicago Tribune

3. Seattle Times

Garden Island Newspaper: "Committee Passes Pesticide Bill"

Originally Published: March 22, 2018

HONOLULU — The state House Finance Committee passed a bill Wednesday that includes an amendment that would prohibit the use of chlorpyrifos beginning Jan. 1, 2019, but provides an exemption for farmers for a three-year period if they provide public disclosure.

Finance Chair Sylvia Luke also proposed that large commercial agricultural businesses that use 35 pounds or 35 gallons of non-diluted, restricted-use pesticides must file an annual report listing the type of restricted-use pesticides used, quantity, and location of the use.

Senate Bill 3095 SD1 will next go to the full House for a vote.

“I believe the proposed amendments help to address concerns raised by various stakeholders and reflect a compromise on how to move forward as a state,” wrote state Rep. Nadine Nakamura, a Democrat from Kapaa.

The bill also calls for:

No spraying of pesticides within 100 feet of every school during school instructional hours;

Increasing the Pesticide Revolving Fund cap from $250,000 to $1 million to give the state Department of Agriculture resources for outreach and education, and to hire two additional full-time employees.

“This bill attempts to protect students in our schools, promote responsible use of pesticides, address human health concerns and give the state Department of Agriculture additional tools to do their work,” Nakamura said.

Garden Island Newspaper: "State Budget Approved" By John Steinhorst

Originally Published: March 13, 2018

The House of Representatives unanimously approved the State budget yesterday, which appropriates funds for operating government and capital improvement projects for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Representative Sylvia Luke, House Finance Chair, said the Executive Budget was scrutinized carefully and adjusted to make sure Hawaii will have a sustainable budget moving forward.

“This is a budget that keeps our government operating without wasting money and provides funds for many much needed projects,” Luke said. “I’m happy that we are able to provide funding for many state schools and libraries and to support education.”

The Department of Education’s total operating budget ($2.1 billion for 2019) for kindergarten through grade 12, including charter schools and libraries, will support Early College Program, English Language Learners, World Languages and Health Education, Teacher Certification Stipend Program, Alternative Teacher Route Program and interscholastic athletic competitions.

Capital Improvement Project funds for schools and libraries ($463 million for 2018 and $310 million for 2019) include funds to maintain and improve facilities and infrastructure statewide. Of those funds, $2.5 million will be used for the design of a new library at Kapaa Elementary School, Kauai. Another $2.5 million will go to the design and construction of parking lot and drainage improvements for Kapaa High School.

For fiscal year 2018, the budget bill totals $7.24 billion in general funds and $14.1 billion in all means of financing. For fiscal year 2019, the bill appropriates $7.4 billion in general funds and $14.3 billion in all financing means.

The budget includes a total of $2.2 billion for fiscal year 2018 and $2.1 billion for fiscal year 2019 for Capital Improvement Projects.

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