1 It’s your government. The Legislature needs you to add your voiceWelcome to the Public Access Room’s (PAR’s) “Your Voice!” workshop. In a democracy, power is vested in the people (you!), and we want to encourage you to use that power to help the Legislature make the best laws for the state of Hawaii. If you have questions, or would like to find out more, please contact the PAR by calling 808/ or ing us at – our website is

2 One of only two full service offices in the nation to help people participate in their state government In the entire nation, Hawaii’s legislature is the only one that provides a full-service resource like the Public Access Room (PAR) for people who are involved in their state’s legislature. This is one of the ways in which you’re lucky to live Hawaii! In 2015, PAR celebrated 25 years of helping Hawaii’s citizens have a stronger and more articulate voice in their own governance.

3 Your Office at the State Capitol 4th Floor, Room 401Our physical office – your office – is located in Room 401 of the State Capitol building (at 415 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813). Every year, we fan out across the Neighbor Islands in October, November, and December to offer workshops like this one. We acknowledge that for Neighbor Island residents a visit to the Capitol is not as easy or simple as it is for many on Oahu. (By the way, the Hawaii State Capitol is a beautiful building with a lot of symbolism built in to its open architecture. For tours or self-guided tour information, please contact the Governor’s Office of Information - Capitol Tours, Room 415, or call You can schedule group tours on this web page:

4 Public Access Room (PAR)Help, information and training at no charge Non-partisan Lots of resources! Guidance on process Computers with internet Wireless access & recharge station Copies of testimony Helpful handouts Workshops and tutorials We are non-partisan, dealing exclusively in process and never in policy considerations. There is never a fee for our services – we’re supported by your tax dollars. You can come to PAR to use one of the six public computers or the printer, have a small meeting, get copies of your testimony, or watch a hearing remotely. We have tables for you to work on your laptop (there’s free wi-fi throughout the building) or recharge your devices. Or perhaps just sit and relax a while. We can answer your questions and point you to resources. We also offer workshops and tutorials so you can learn more. Our office is one of the five divisions of the (also non-partisan) Legislative Reference Bureau (LRB), a legislative service agency. A brief overview of the other divisions of the LRB: LRB Library has extensive holdings that cover legislative matters, some of which date all the way back to the days of the Kingdom. The research librarians can be very helpful, and are a resource available to the public. They’re located in the Chamber level of the Capitol in Room 005. The Research Division is one of five drafting agencies in the Capitol; they are available to assist any of the 76 legislators. The staff provides research, drafts legislation and committee reports, and publishes specific studies as requested by the legislature. The Statute Revision Division integrates the newly-passed Acts into the fourteen volumes of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (the HRS), the codified book of laws governing the state of Hawaii. The Information Systems Offices maintains a data base of relevant legislative information for internal legislative use. The staff also provide technical support for the division. More information on LRB can be found on the website:

5 Separation of Powers 3 equal branches of governmentExecutive Implement the law Legislative Make the law Judiciary Interpret the law Let’s start with the big picture. Our democracy is set up with a balance of power – three different, equal branches of government that help to keep one another in check. Roughly speaking, the Legislative branch makes the laws, the Executive branch implements those laws, and the Judiciary branch interprets the law. In this workshop, we’ll be focused on the Legislative branch, the branch of government concerned with making the laws.

6 Legislative Branch: Makes the lawsToday, we’re talking about one level of this branch of government NATIONAL U.S. Senate U.S. House of Representatives U.S. Congress passes laws that govern the entire country STATE State Legislature passes laws that govern Hawaii We’re going to be examining just one level of the Legislative branch – the State Legislature, which makes the laws that govern the state of Hawaii. There are other levels – at the broadest level, there’s the U.S. Congress that convenes in Washington D.C. – they’re concerned with passing laws that govern the whole country. Laws they pass apply to you whether you’re in Iowa, California or Hawaii. This is the level where you’ll find Hawaii’s U.S. Senators Hirono and Schatz, and our U.S. Representatives Gabbard and Takai. The County level is where you’ll find the Councils – the City Council for the City and County of Honolulu, and the County Councils for Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Island’s counties. Ordinances that are passed at this level relate only to that specific county. County of Hawaii (Big Island) Hawaii County Council Honolulu City & County (Oahu, Northwestern Hawaiian Islands) Honolulu City Council County of Kauai (Kauai and Niihau) Kauai County Council Maui County (Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui and Molokai) Maui County Council COUNTY Each council passes laws that govern their county

7 Hawaii State Legislature = two-chambered, lawmaking bodySenate House of Representatives State Senators (25) State Representatives (51) 4-year terms 2-year terms The Hawaii State Legislature is actually made up of two different chambers (this is called a “bicameral” legislature) – the Senate is the group of 25 Senators, and the House of Representatives is the group of 51 Representatives. Roughly speaking, a Senator’s district is roughly twice as large as a Representative’s district. We can use the term “legislator” to refer to either a Senator or a Representative. In this presentation, we’ll be focusing on how the chambers work to make the laws that govern the state, and both chambers operate in roughly the same way. But be aware that they actually each have special powers and responsibilities (for example, the Senate has the ‘advise and consent’ power over Governor’s appointment of his or her department directors).

8 What do these lawmakers do?SERVE as your representatives and senators on committees focused on particular subject matter SERVE SERVE in leadership roles to enhance their effectiveness First off, we’re a representative democracy, and the legislators actually “represent” you – each address in the state is represented by one member of the House of Representatives, and one member of the Senate. They serve as the voting districts’ ‘voice’ at the Legislature, and may be able to help constituents with a variety of issues. Secondly, in order to make the whole complicated process a little more manageable, the House and Senate each organize themselves in to various committees that focus on legislation in particular subject areas. As you’ll see, the chairs of these committees have quite a bit of power. Who decides who is on which committee and who gets to be each committee’s chair? That would be leadership. Each chamber elects who will be their leader (the President in the Senate, the Speaker in the House, the Vice President or Vice Speaker, the Majority Leader, and Majority Floor Leader). The reason leadership is so important? Power. They influence a great deal, as you’ll see in the slides ahead. FYI -- When we use the term “Majority” it refers to the political party that has the most members in the chamber – in Hawaii currently, for both chambers that would be the members of the Democratic Party. The “Minority” party (here, the Republican members) also elect one another in to leadership positions, to better coordinate the actions of their members.

9 To find out who represents you,the Legislature’s website has made it this simple…! capitol.hawaii.gov To find out who your own Representative and Senator are, it’s as simple as going to the Legislature’s website, capitol.hawaii.gov…

10 Look for the ‘Find your Legislator’ box at the upper right-hand corner of the homepage.

11 Here’s a close up of that corner of the page.

12 Just type in your street name (don’t put in your house number, or whether it’s a street or an avenue), and voila!

13 Here are the results. Kaniela Ing is the Representative for folks living at this address – they’re part of House District 11; Rosalyn Baker is the Senator – this address is in Senate District 6. If you want to do another search, you can use this screen – the optional county and zip code boxes may be helpful to filter down results. The names are hyperlinked to the legislator’s webpage. By clicking on the “Rep. Kaniela Ing” hyperlink, we’ll find this:

14 On every legislator’s page, you’ll find their photo and contact information -- mailing address, phone, fax, and address. You’ll see a brief bio (helpful if you’re meeting with someone – you may find points of interest!). The members’ pages allow legislators to post relevant news and information on legislative and community issues. The page lists the committees the legislator sits on, as well as the measures he or she has introduced (for the list of measures, it’s probably better to go to the Reports and Lists page for this information, but that’s in another workshop).

15 Back on the Legislature’s homepage (capitol. hawaiiBack on the Legislature’s homepage (capitol.hawaii.gov), you’ll see some handy icons in the center of the screen.

16 Handy icons Some of them are pretty self-explanatory. To see who’s in the House and Senate, choose “Legislators.”

17 And up will come an alphabetical list of legislatorsAnd up will come an alphabetical list of legislators! There are buttons up top if we want to see just the Senators or just the Representatives. The list includes pictures and contact information, and their webpages can be reached by clicking on their names. For example, if we click on Senator Baker’s hyperlinked name, we’ll find ourselves on her page.

18 Again, we see a photo, contact information, a brief bio, and her membership in committees. What else appears on the page is up to her – she includes a photo stream, a link to her Facebook page, some district information, and numerous articles and documents.

19 Handy icons Another pretty straight-forward icon on the homepage is the “Committees” button. Click on the “Committees” icon to find who sits on the various Senate or House committees .

20 You’ll find a list that looks like thisYou’ll find a list that looks like this. Again, you can select just the Senate or just the House committees by using the buttons up top. If you click on the link to the House Consumer Protection & Commerce (CPC) committee, you’ll find…

21 This. Only the Chair and the Vice-Chair are pictured and show their contact information, but the other members are listed below them. You can click on a member’s name, and you’ll find their page which includes their contact information. On these committee pages, you can read the purview or scope of the committee, see current hearing notices, view the measures currently in the committee, and much more. (To find additional committee information, you can use the “Reports and Lists” page.) (FYI - The PAR website, LRBhawaii.org/PAR, also has handy lists of legislators and committees.)

22 Don’t forget the most important participants in State legislative government…Before we go any further, we want to remind you that for this whole system to work, it needs participation by…

23 People like you! YOU! Without the public, it just doesn’t work.

24 What can you do? elect State Senator (every 4 years)elect State Representative (every 2 years) vote on proposed amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution run for office or help someone else do so communicate views and priorities offer testimony on proposed legislation join with others to amplify your voice Here’s a reminder of some of the things that we as everyday citizens can do to be part of our own governance. We vote the Senators and Representatives into office – Senators serve 4 year terms, Representatives for 2 year terms. We also vote on proposed changes to the Constitution. You can run for office, or help someone else to do that – you don’t need to be a political science major or a lawyer. People with all sorts of experience and backgrounds serve in these positions. Also, we have what is called a part-time legislature (in session from January to May), and many members keep their positions outside of the Capitol while they serve. Of course, things get very busy during session, so you’d need to plan on that! You can also communicate with the people that are in office, letting them know your priorities, views, and concerns. In PAR, we concentrate on the three things that are circled here.

25 Your Voice Communicate with Your Legislators Always appropriateDistrict issues needing attention Your priorities for the House and Senate to focus on We’ve already mentioned voting – which is an important way of expressing your voice – but how about communicating with the people who were elected to represent you? Let them know what you think they should focus on – environmental policy, education issues, transportation infrastructure, housing, tourism, public safety issues – what seems particularly pressing to you? What would help or affect you and your family, neighbors, and colleagues? Are there particular issues in your neighborhood that concern you? It’s always appropriate to communicate with your own Representative and Senator about such matters – you don’t have to wait for them to be in legislative session – their offices are open year ‘round.

26 COMMUNICATE YOUR POSITIONTime for a Letter… … Phone call… Make sure your elected officials are aware of your concerns and your position on issues important to you Legislators like to hear from their constituents. And even though they may not do what you’d like them to do, they really do listen! Give them a chance – let them know what you think. By the way, if you want to hear back from them, let them know. “I’d appreciate a call back.” or “I look forward to hearing from you.” - “But they won’t listen to me!” - “Have you contacted your Senator and Representative to let them know what you think?”

27 Keep It Short and Simple Quickly get to the pointRespect legislators’ time Provide additional detail when asked for Think through what it is you want to say… Are you asking the legislator to take a particular action? Is there a situation that is a cause for concern? Do you want the legislator to hear your views and respond with his or her own? Short and simple is usually a great place to start. If it’s a complicated situation, offer an overview and a willingness to provide additional details. Help the legislator or staff member understand what you are asking for.

28 COMMUNICATE YOUR POSITION To make your letter as effective as possibleMake your letter effective Be brief, clear, and to the point. one or two pages your own words. be courteous. Explain your position and why it matters. Include your return address or contact information. Sign your name legibly (or print it below your signature). COMMUNICATE YOUR POSITION Time for a Letter: To make your letter as effective as possible Address it properly. Elected officials are addressed as “Representative” or “Senator,” followed by their last name. Be brief, clear, and to the point. Limit your letter to one or two pages, if at all possible. Use your own words. An individualized, personal letter is much more effective than a form letter. Include your return address in the letter. Sign your name legibly, and include your phone number if you wish. Be courteous. Explain the reasons for your position. Here is a basic overview regarding letter-writing, though the pointers apply to any form of communication: Be respectful. Tell the truth and don’t exaggerate. Keep it short and simple – the KISS principle. One page is perfect. If you disagree with something, perhaps offer suggestions of what might work better. MAKE SURE TO PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION. If a legislator wants to get in contact with you to get more information, they need to know how to find you. Make your address, phone number, and/or street address easy to find on the page. If you want the legislator to do something, don’t forget to ask! Want a reply? Ask for one. NOTE: If you are leaving a voice mail message, please repeat your name and telephone number. It’s so frustrating for staff when they want to get back to you, but didn’t quite catch what you said.

29 PAR can help you! Psst… tell your friends!PAR can help you as you engage with the legislature and the legislative process. And, we’re one of the best kept secrets in the state! Tell your friends! Psst… tell your friends!

30 When does all the lawmaking happen?Now, how about this business of making laws. When does all that happen? When does the legislature actually meet to discuss what laws should be passed?

31 Most of the calendar year is ‘interim’ – the time between regular legislative sessionsPer the State Constitution, session starts on the 3rd Wednesday in January each year… + Jan Apr Oct Jul Session starts mid-January Ends late April or early May As mentioned, in Hawaii we have what is called a “part-time legislature.” About 2/3 of the calendar year is the ‘interim’ period between regular legislative sessions. But that doesn’t mean they’re not busy being your legislators year-round. It’s crucial to use this time between sessions well, so you’ll be ready for the fast-moving session when it starts (which is always on the 3rd Wednesday in January). About 3,000 bills are introduced each year, in roughly one week…you can imagine the frenzy! Each of the wedges in this illustration signifies a major deadline – and is intended to show you just how fast things move during session. Interim

32 The Legislative CalendarIn late December or early January… The Senate President and House Speaker will publish an official schedule of deadlines The ‘Legislative Calendar’ with the specific dates that will rule our lives during session is published prior to the beginning of a session – and usually not much before-hand. The calendar is established by the Senate President and the House Speaker, working together. By the way, the Public Access Room takes that calendar and creates an annotated version that’s color coded and has helpful definitions so you can sort out what the deadlines actually mean. You can find the most recent version on PAR’s website (go to the “Information Sheets” page).

33 Legislative calendar in upper leftIt can also be found in the upper left corner of the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov).

34 Opening Day Ceremonial proceedings & festivitiesCeremonial proceedings & festivities Opportunity to meet allies, network Learn where everybody’s office is Come in to the PAR for our opening day celebration (featuring cheap crackers and rich conversation and our almost-famous punch!) But the first thing we do is have a party! And we want to make sure you know that you’re invited to our Opening Day party on the third Wednesday in January. Mark your calendars! Usually, but not always, Opening Days are quite festive – there are floor speeches and entertainment in the chambers; legislators greeting people at their offices and offering pupus; and PAR’s annual party, a potluck with our “almost famous” punch!

35 Your Voice Share an Idea for a New LawA legislator can translate your idea into a bill If the bill is successful, it will become an act of law Another way to use your voice is to share an idea for a new law with a legislator. The legislator can take your idea, have it drafted into a bill, and if the bill is successful, it will become an act of law. You need to know it’s a tough road – over 90% of bills introduced each year don’t become law. But if you’ve got a good idea and the time is ripe…! NOTE: If you would like a legislator to introduce a bill on your behalf, you’ll be wise to make the request during the interim months. It’s usually easier to meet with legislators then, and gives you a chance to discuss the matter when there is actually time enough to talk it over in an unhurried and thorough way. Most likely, if you wait until January…(sorry)…you’re likely to be too late.

36 Summarize the problem (or the opportunity)Then list what you think a law should do Bullet points may help You want a legislator to quickly grasp what you’re trying to say Start fleshing out your idea… First, identify the problem or opportunity. (It sounds simple, but sometimes this one takes a little work). See if you can summarize it into a short paragraph (just a few sentences). Then list what you think a law would do. If you’ve got research, know of a group that’s behind the idea, or a state that has enacted similar legislation, you can let the legislator know that, too. It helps to think this through prior to speaking with a legislator…

37 To start a bill through the process, you need to find a legislator who likes your idea (or is at least willing to introduce the bill for you). Start with: Representative and Senator who represent you Chair and/or members of relevant committee Members who have supported similar issues in past In Hawaii, all bills must be introduced by a legislator. Other states may have different procedures, but that’s the way it is in Hawaii. So, the next step is to find a legislator who likes the idea and who agrees to introduce the bill on your behalf. If you’ve done your research as to why this bill is a good idea, you’ll be much more likely to get a legislator’s agreement to introduce your bill. The PAR staff can help point you in the right direction if you wish (we’re open year-round). It’s often a good idea to start with the Senator and/or Representative serving your district. That’s good protocol, but isn’t an absolute rule at all. You could also go to the members of the subject matter committee to which your potential bill would probably first be referred – the Senate and/or House transportation committee for a transportation idea, for instance. Or perhaps we know or can help you find out who’s supported similar legislation or issues in the past. That might be a good legislator to approach. (The legislator may also ask a colleague in the other chamber to introduce an identical bill, just to help the idea’s chances of moving ahead.)

38 Per the State Constitution, session starts on the 3rd Wednesday in January each year…This year, that is January 18, 2017. Interim Session starts mid-January Ends late April or early May + Jan Apr Oct Jul The bill can only be formally introduced (start its way through the pipeline) when the Legislature is in session (though of course it can be written – “drafted” – in advance). The Legislature always starts its Regular Session on the 3rd Wednesday in January – this year, that is January 20, 2016.

39 (hint: so use the time before session to get your ducks in a row!)WARNING: DEADLINE Short window to introduce bills: deadline is often only 1 week after start of session (hint: so use the time before session to get your ducks in a row!) Take a look at 2015’s calendar to see how brutal the calendar can be. Notice that the session began on January 21. Only a week later, January 29, was the deadline for bill introductions! Things move fast. In that time period, there were 2,894 bills introduced. Now take a look at the March 12 deadline – “First Crossover.” By that deadline, all House bills have to have crossed over to the Senate for further consideration and all Senate bills had to have crossed to the House. Bills that fail to meet that deadlines are…dead!!! Usually that’s about 75% of all those introduced – so only 25% are still alive after that deadline. And in the end, usually fewer than 10% of all the bills actually become law.

40 The legislator will have the idea drafted into a BILL that will be INTRODUCED at the start of Regular Session. 1 SECTION 1. The legislature finds that an increase in bicycling among the 2 state’s population would help to decrease the number of cars on our roads, 3 improve air and water quality, and encourage a healthier lifestyle among large 4 portions of Hawaii’s population. Ownership of a bicycle greatly increases the… When a legislator agrees to introduce a bill, he or she will then work with one of the five bill-drafting agencies in the Capitol to have the bill written up. When the bill is submitted by your Representative or Senator, it is promptly given a number, which will be the tool you use to keep track of it. The prefix “HB” begins a House bill number; “SB” begins a Senate bill number. If your bill is changed by various committees along the way, different draft numbers will be tacked onto the end of the bill number to help you keep track of the new versions. When the bill was drafted, it was given a bill title – “Relating to Transportation,” for example. The bill title can not change, and it must reflect the bill’s contents. (The bill’s content may change as it goes through the legislative process, but it must always be appropriate to the bill’s unchanging title.) Bills can be short or long, simple or complex. Usually the first section will state what the bill intends to do, the following sections outline what exactly is being done (revising the law books, for example, using [crossed out] or added language), and the final section specifies when the law will take effect if enacted.

41 Here’s a brief glimpse of what’s to come in a bill’s life…Successfully pass through all committees the House and Senate have referred it to and Successfully pass three readings in both the House and Senate chambers (where all the members convene) Have both House and Senate agree on exact wording Be signed or allowed to come into law by Governor, or House and Senate successfully overrides his veto Your bill will need to meet a lot of requirements to become law. It must: Survive all the committees it’s referred to (though it may be amended as it emerges and moves from one committee to the next). It’s during the committee process that the bill needs to be “heard” (that’s why we show the disembodied ear here) to survive – public hearings need to be scheduled so that the public has the opportunity to have their voices heard regarding whether or not the legislation is a good idea. The number of committees a bill needs to go through varies. Pass 3 readings (votes) in both chambers – the full House and Senate.* Have both chambers agree on the exact language of the final version. Be signed into law by the Governor, or become law without his signature, or have his veto overturned by 2/3 of all the members of both the House and the Senate. *The “chambers” are where all the House members and all the Senate members congregate at least sixty times during the legislative session. During chamber floor sessions, votes are taken on the actions taken in committee, and on whether or not the bills should move forward. It’s a high bar that’s set for a bill to become a law!

42 And, it’s got to get through all of these things by certain dates – affectionately known asDEADLINES And it must do all of that by certain deadlines! Which is why that session calendar is so important. Over 90% of bills die – they don’t pass one of the deadlines…

43 You’ll soon find out what committees the bill needs to go through…The Public Access Room offers workshops on the legislative process and understanding how a bill becomes a law. Here, we’ll just highlight some of the important ways you can add your voice to the process. After the bill is introduced, it will pretty quickly get its committee assignments – the list of committees the bill has to go through in order to survive. It could be that our bill is referred to three committees, or just to two, or to a lot more. In any case, this list of committees is called the ‘committee referral’ and once we know what committees a bill needs to go through, we can use our voice to influence things.

44 Ask for a Public HearingYour Voice Ask for a Public Hearing You need to move quickly! Get others to advocate for a hearing, too If your bill fails to get heard, look for other bills that may be similar We can ask for a public hearing. We’ll have to move quickly – those deadlines come up fast! We may have other folks we can get to join our call for a hearing. If we fail in our attempt, we can ask PAR for assistance. So, at the start of session, if we see bills that we want to move forward --

45 Go to the person with the power: Ask the Chair of the Committee to schedule the bill for a hearingWe ask the person with the power – the Chair of that first committee – to have the bill heard. Getting your bill scheduled for a committee hearing is a big step – many bills never get that far. Contact the committee Chair’s office and just ask – “Would you please make sure to schedule [bill number] for a hearing?” They’ll be upfront with you about whether or not they will. The Chair’s office has a lot of things to consider – your bill is one among many that have been referred to the committee, and they’ve only got so much time to hear bills. When a bill is scheduled for a hearing, a hearing notice is published and distributed to let everyone know what’s being discussed. This is the opportunity the public has been waiting for to provide testimony.

46 If it doesn’t get heard, it will miss upcoming deadlines and will “die in committee” (the fate of most bills) If the chair doesn’t like your bill and won’t schedule it, it will just sit there while deadlines go by, and it will be left in the dust. You may be able to influence the Chair’s decision if the other members of the committee are in favor of hearing your bill. You can find lists of the committees and committee chairs on both the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov) and PAR’s (LRBhawaii.org/PAR). Remember to keep your eyes open for other bills that are being heard that may cover similar subject matter. You may want to testify on those. (Call PAR if you need help finding them.) 46

47 If your bill does get scheduled for a public hearing…If a bill you’re interested in does get scheduled for a public hearing, you’ve got another chance to use your voice…

48 Your Voice Testify! Offer your view on why the bill should become law (or shouldn’t) Time is always short! Try to get it in by the deadline Get others to testify, too Testify! Offer your opinion on whether or not the bill is a good idea. Just a head’s up: there’s never as much time as you think you need to prepare your testimony! Just do the best you can, and see if you can get other people who care about the issue to offer their testimony, too.

49 Testimony Communication to the committee regarding your position on a bill being considered Can only offer when the measure is scheduled for a hearing Usually, time is short! (may have less than 24 hours) You only get to offer testimony when a bill is scheduled for a hearing. (You can write to committee members while you’re advocating for a bill, but that’s not to the whole committee and doesn’t get entered into the bill’s written record.) As we noted, there’s never enough time. You may have less than a day to prepare your testimony.

50 Guidelines for how and when to offer testimony appear at the end of the hearing notice.The hearing notices are issued to tell you where and when the various committees will be holding public hearings on bills and resolutions. Your testimony at those committee meetings can be very helpful to the committee members. Don’t make them have to come to decisions on legislation all on their own! Members of the public can offer a tremendous amount of experience, expertise, and variety of viewpoints that help to make better laws for us all. The hearing notice lists the time and place it will meet and which measures are being considered. Guidelines and the testimony deadline appear at the end of the hearing notice.

51 You can provide WRITTEN and/or ORAL (spoken) testimonyYou can provide written testimony. You can also appear before the committee and provide oral testimony.

52 No rules regarding what your written testimony needs to look like or sound like. That’s up to you.In submitting written testimony, there’s no set rules as to what it should look like. That’s up to you. We do encourage you to try to keep it to a page or two. Try to make the main points accessible at a glance.

53 That said, here’s a simple outline…Committee Name Bill number Introduce yourself, state the measure you are testifying on, and whether you support or oppose the measure. Explain the reasons for your position. May include facts or experiences. We do have a simple outline here, though it may look even more complicated than it needs to be. Note the name of the committee you’re offering the testimony to – you’ll find the committee’s name at the top of the hearing notice. You may also want to add the day/date/time of the hearing. Note the bill number so that it’s clear what piece of legislation your testimony addresses. Introduce yourself and let them know up front if you’re IN SUPPORT or OPPOSED to the measure. If you’re offering testimony on behalf of a group, let them know how many people your group represents. Then, let them know where you’re coming from. Why is that your position? Have you had some experience that influences you? Do you know of some facts that are particularly telling? Do you have some expertise in the area the legislation addresses? Will the legislation affect your life or the lives of family or colleagues? Is your testimony and position based on your moral beliefs? Any of these is fine – just let them know the reasons for your position, and try to do it briefly. Make sure your name is on your testimony! In closing, clearly re-state your position Name & contact information

54 Many ways to submit written testimony…Deliver it (not enough time to mail it) it (make sure to use the testimony address specified – don’t just it to the Chair or Committee) Submit it using the form on the Legislature’s website Fax it How to deliver your written testimony? There are a number of ways – you can bring it to the Capitol, fax it in, it to a testimony address, or submit it using the “Submit Testimony” feature on the website. More and more, they’d like you use the “submit testimony” form. And, it’s easy to do!

55 To use the web form to submit testimonyThe "Submit Testimony" feature provides an easy and efficient way to submit testimony online – you just attach the file that contains your testimony, and in it goes. So – here’s what you do: After you’ve written your testimony, save it on your computer. You may want to make a note of its location and file name, so it’s easy to find.

56 Go to the Legislature’s website (capitol. hawaii. gov)Go to the Legislature’s website (capitol.hawaii.gov). To use the “Submit Testimony” feature, first we “Sign In” to the website – we’ll enter our address and the password we created. First Time Users: If this is your first time using the interactive features of the website, you'll have to Register. Click on "Register" and enter your name, address, and the password you'd like to use for the website. After you've agreed to the terms and conditions, you will be directed to go to your account and open the sent to you by the website. (This confirms you are not a robot.) Follow the instructions for confirming your account. You'll only have to register once.

57 The interactive icons will change color, showing we’ve signed inThe interactive icons will change color, showing we’ve signed in. Click on the “Submit Testimony” button.

58 You’ll just enter the bill number…Then, enter the bill number you want to testify on. Don’t put in any spaces between the letters and numbers, and don’t add on any draft numbers. Click on “Submit.”

59 The bill’s hearing information will appear along with a submission form.Proceed to fill out the form that appears (you'll be asked if you are testifying as an individual or a group, whether you support or oppose the measure, and whether you'll be present at the hearing).

60 You can then “attach” your testimony file.Attach the file you saved that includes your testimony here Use the "Choose File" or "Browse" button to upload the file you've saved on your computer that includes your testimony. This works just like you attach a file to an .

61 The name of the file you uploaded appears hereAfter you’ve uploaded the file, its name appears to the right of the “Choose File” or “Browse” button. (Another option: you may type your testimony directly into the "Additional Comments" box -- but this option provides no formatting, and the resulting testimony prints out as an message.) Or you can type your testimony here (but there’s no formatting – it appears as a printed )

62 After you’ve submitted your testimony, a confirmation email will be sent to you.You'll have the opportunity to confirm your submission. Don't forget to acknowledge that you've read the privacy terms and conditions! You'll receive an confirmation that your testimony was successfully submitted. That’s it!

63 Oral Testimony Let them Hear your Voice!“Chair ___, Vice Chair ___ and members of the committee…” is a great way to start. Short and simple (2-3 minutes) Introduce yourself and the group or organization (if any) you represent. Clearly state your position – in favor? Opposed? Alternatives? Be courteous, respectful, and professional Remember to Breathe! Tell the truth and do not exaggerate. Become a trusted resource! What if you’re able to come to the Capitol to testify? Here are some simple guidelines that are helpful if you plan to go to present your testimony in person at the Capitol, in addition to submitting it from home. “Chair, Vice Chair and members of the committee…” is a great way to start. Short and simple (2-3 minutes) Introduce yourself and the group or organization (if any) you represent. Clearly state your position – in favor? Opposed? Alternatives? Be courteous, respectful, and professional Remember to Breathe! Tell the truth and do not exaggerate. Become a trusted resource!

64 Find others who agree with your position to amplify your voiceLet them know how easy it is to testify Make use of organizations to help spread the word Listen to those who disagree with you – they may be your best teachers Now that you know how easy it is to testify, spread the word! Find allies. Don’t forget to get help from and collaborate with people who share your perspective on the issue. And don’t forget to pay attention to your opponents. They can teach you a lot.

65 After all the testimony has been heard…So now what? You’ve offered testimony, now you need to see what the committee chooses to do.

66 Vote to pass the bill without changes (unamended or “as is”) The Committee may… Vote to pass the bill without changes (unamended or “as is”) Vote to pass the bill with changes (amended) Not vote! Hold or defer the bill If they don’t set a date for decision making, it may not get voted on at all (it will then die in committee) The committee may vote to pass the bill just as it is, without any changes. The committee may vote to pass the bill “as amended,” with changes. The committee may choose not to vote – instead, the Chair announces that they will “hold” or “defer” the bill. This is a death knell. If the committee votes to pass the bill, the bill survives and moves forward in the legislative process. NOTE: On rare occasions, the committee may vote on the bill and the bill fails to win the vote; the bill would then be dead. It is much more common for a vote to be avoided if the Chair knows there will not be enough support to pass it.

67 If changes have occurred…If they passed the bill with changes (they can be minor changes correcting punctuation, or major changes)…

68 If changes have occurred…Changes may be minor or significant Bill must always conform to its title Effective date may be far in future “to ensure further discussion” Changes will be summarized in the committee report, published with the new draft If they passed the bill with changes (they can be minor changes correcting punctuation, or major changes)…

69 The bill is given a new draft number…It keeps the same bill number (SB1, for example), but is given a new draft number The amended bill will be given a new draft number. It has still got its bill number, but now there is a new suffix indicating which draft (HD = House Draft, SD = Senate Draft, and the number indicates the number of times it’s been changed by that chamber) of the bill we’re looking at. This can look a bit confusing at first, but it really does help to make sure we’re looking at the same version of the bill. As always, PAR is available to help if you find yourself confused.

70 If your bill was passed…Your Voice If your bill was passed… Ask to have it heard at the next committee Offer testimony Repeat as necessary! (on the way to becoming law, a bill will need to be heard by more than one committee) If your bill did have a public hearing and was passed out of the committee, it continues on its way. You can ask that it be heard by the next committee. If a public hearing is scheduled, come and testify again. NOTE: During the bill’s path through the Legislature, it will also have to be voted on 3 times in the full chamber of the House and Senate. On rare occasions, whether or not the bill will pass the vote may be in question. (Most bills die in committee, rather than on the floor of the House or Senate.) In such cases, you may want to use your voice to let your own Representative or Senator know how you would like them to vote. In some cases, you may want to call all of the members to let your opinion be known.

71 Did your bill pass? Did you get what you wanted out of the committee hearings you submitted testimony for? Were the changes made to the bill acceptable compromises that still move your issue forward? Amazing. Take time to thank the people who heard you and others who helped along the way! 71

72 Let the Governor know your viewYour Voice Let the Governor know your view After it passes the Legislature, your bill still needs to be enacted Governor has deadlines to sign, veto, or allow to become law ACT But it’s not over yet! You may want to let the Governor know that he should sign the bill into law – you don’t want it vetoed! If it does get signed (or not vetoed by a certain date), the bill becomes an act of law that governs the state of Hawaii. Note: If the bill is vetoed, there’s still an opportunity for it to become law – the House and Senate can reconvene in special session, and if both chambers override the veto with a 2/3 vote, the bill is enacted.

73 Throughout session, though, this is more likely for a lot of folksThroughout session, though, this is more likely for a lot of folks. (Remember how many bills die, and the many deadlines at which that can happen?) Often they’re disappointed to see their beautiful bill die, right there in front of them. We encourage them to take heart; it's not necessarily over yet. Other bills may still be alive that deal with the same subject matter. Maybe they can get their bill's contents added in to one of them. It also helps to remember the bright side – Did a hearing spark good discussion on an issue? Raise awareness? Identify potential allies? Often, you can take a step back and find some progress that’s been made. You can always call PAR if you’re confused. Now here’s something to remember… Even though the process of making a law may seem slow (it can take many years) and often frustrating, that slowness also keeps lots of unhealthy, unhelpful, unproductive legislation from coming into law. We can be glad of that. And PLEASE REMEMBER that this process couldn’t be complete without YOU. 73

74 get ready for next year’s session!Don’t give up – If your bill dies…keep at it, and remember that “many hands make light work.” The process is often long and complicated, so having other people involved will both increase your chances and keep you from burning out. get ready for next year’s session!

75 “The Interim” 70% of the calendar yearValuable opportunity for research, persuasion and action May be easier to find time with legislators And remember how important the interim is – the time between legislative sessions. If your bill dies, the following interim is a good time to start stirring up interest in reviving it. Debrief and consult with allies about what worked and what didn’t during session. Work with other stake holders to find points of acceptable compromise. Teach the legislators and/or the community more about your issue. Perhaps ask a legislator to draft a new bill that may stand a better chance of passage. After the flurry of session, you’ll find the Capitol so much more relaxed during interim! It’s a great time to talk with legislators and their staff.

76 Before you know it… It’ll be the 3rd Wednesday in January,And the whole process begins again*… *Actually, it’s a two-year cycle – in even numbered years, the session starts out with all the bills from the previous year still in the pipeline – just in case someone wants to act on them. In odd-numbered years, it starts afresh. We didn’t want to confuse you at the outset, but if your bill dies in an odd-numbered year, the first year of the 2-year legislative cycle (a biennium), it’s not really dead(!). In the first year of a biennium, any bill that didn’t pass out of the legislature actually just goes into a coma. We say that it “died” but it’s actually a potential “zombie” that could come back to life. In the 2nd year, in addition to all the new bills legislators will introduce, bills from the 1st year can be revived at exactly the same place they “died.” BUT at the end of the even-numbered year, the 2nd year of the biennium, if it hasn’t passed into law, it is really truly finally absolutely totally DEAD. We’ll have elections in November of the even-numbered year, and a new biennium begins the following January with all new bills introduced. That’s no reason to stop your campaign, though. Remember, more than just a specific bill, you’re advocating for an idea! You can make a list of what you’d like a bill to do, take it to a legislator, ask that person to introduce a bill for you the following year… and it starts all over again.

77 Confused? Not to worry! PAR’s happy to help! Ask questionsLearn more about the process Find online resources We know it all can seem a bit overwhelming and confusing. This is a lot of information! But the Public Access Room was established by the Legislature as a resource to help to answer any of your questions and help you understand and learn more about the process.

78 This is a lot of information!So, when you’re trying to figure out where to find something We’ve gone through a lot of information, but you don’t have to remember it all, because remember… Remember…

79 PAR can Help! PAR can help!

80 PAR’s website: LRBhawaii.org/PARPAR can Help! PAR’s website: LRBhawaii.org/PAR We have a website with helpful information sheets, links, and workshops. It’s address is: LRBhawaii.org/PAR

81 PAR can Help! PAR website offers handy lists, manuals and tipsSubscribe to our list and receive newsletters and notices If you’d like to get the Public Access Room’s excellent newsletters, published about 5 times during each session, just make sure PAR has your address. ( it to us at We use each of the newsletters to discuss some aspect of the legislative process in depth. And be assured, we never share our list with anyone.

82 PAR can Help! PAR website offers handy lists, manuals and tipsGet on our list for notices and newsletters Call or us – we can save you time by pointing you in the right direction We can’t stress this enough. Don’t hesitate to call or us, regardless of the issue! We’re very happy to help. It’s what we do!

83 Plenty of online resources includingUp-to-date status of measures Access to all testimony submitted hearing notice service Measure tracking tools Search features Convenient lists and reports

84 Participate in your democracyPublic Access Room Room 401 PAR hopes that you will help to make Hawaii a better place and participate in your democracy. You’re always welcome in the Public Access Room!

85 Public Access Room Phone: 808 / Website: LRBhawaii.org/PAR Thanks for hanging in there for all of that! If there’s just one thing to take from this presentation, let it be this: the Public Access Room (PAR) is your office at the State Capitol. We’re non-partisan and there’s never a fee. Please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re happy to help! Our contact information: Phone: 808/ Website: LRBhawaii.org/PAR

86 A last few things for you toReports and lists Sign up for Hearing Notices Measure tracking Archives HRS We’re almost done – before we close, we want to let you know about a few more resources that can be immensely helpful. Just know that they’re available, and if you want to learn more, you know where to come!

87 Lots to be Found Here! Deadline tracking (find out what’s still alive)What’s in a committee, what’s come out… What a legislator has introduced Packages of bills Subject search (great way to find bills!) And a lot more… explore! Now, it is also a good idea to keep your eyes on the big picture. Interested in browsing all the bills introduced? Or the ones still alive? There’s a wealth of information on the Reports and Lists page. Or, maybe you’re not exactly sure what you’re interested in, and want to glance through a list of all the bills that have been introduced. Lots to be Found Here!

88 Find it in the center of the Legislature’s homepage (capitol. hawaiiFind it in the center of the Legislature’s homepage (capitol.hawaii.gov) On the home page, the “Reports and Lists” icon is the go to place. Often, when you’re looking for something you can’t find, this is the button that may bring an end to your quest. It’s actually a “list of lists” that gets updated throughout session.

89 After you click on the “Reports and Lists” button, the page opens in “Deadline Tracking” mode On the left side of the screen, you will see the heading "Deadline Tracking." To the right (also under the heading “Deadline Tracking”), you will see a long list of reports that are just a click away. Using these as the session progresses will give you access to sortable and downloadable lists of measures that have survived significant deadlines. It's a great way to keep up with what's still viable. Here, for example, you can find all the House bills introduced, or later in the session, only the bills that survived first crossover.

90 easy to search using your web browser For example, you can find a handy list showing only the bills that have survived the First Crossover deadline Helpful Features easy to search using your web browser can view descriptions and current status can download to Excel Here’s an example, the beginning of a list of bills that survived First Crossover in 2011. You can also easily export the lists, making them very handy resources for getting word out quickly to the folks who are helping you with your issue.

91 Next, scroll down the list of headings on the left. There's a lot there! Find and customize reports based on committee referrals, who’s introduced legislation, measures by package, and much more. This is also where you’ll find the Daily Updates feature which allows you to view at a glance all documents that were produced on any given day – very helpful if you’re following the legislature very closely, or you’re waiting for numerous committee reports.

92 A very useful feature for finding bills is "Subject SearchA very useful feature for finding bills is "Subject Search." Enter a word or phrase exactly how you think it appears in a bill's title, keywords, or description. The results are presented in report form. Note: Unlike the "keywords" feature on the home page, the "Subject Search" feature does not search the content of bills; it only searches through bills' titles, keywords, and descriptions. That's usually ample, though, and this search feature can save loads of time. Just a click presents a report of the results which is easy to browse through to find what you're looking for. Try it!

93 Sign up for Hearing NoticesThe interactive “Measure Tracking” feature is an incredibly useful feature introduced by popular demand. In a nut shell, here’s all you need to know: First, Create a list – just name it something! Then populate the list with the bills and resolutions you’re interested in When you’re done, ask it to generate the report – print it out using the landscape orientation (or print it as a .pdf document, and it out to your colleagues)

94 You can even sign up to receive emails whenever hearings are scheduled…Even better, you can make sure you don’t miss a chance to testify by signing up to receive an when a bill you’re interested in is scheduled for a hearing.

95 To sign up for emailed hearing notices, you’ll need to sign inTo sign up for ed hearing notices, you’ll need to sign in* to the website. Look to the top right-hand corner, right next to the Home button. *First Time Users: If this is your first time using the interactive features of the website, you'll have to Register. Click on "Register" and enter your name, address, and the password you'd like to use for the website. After you've agreed to the terms and conditions, you will be directed to go to your account and open the sent to you by the website. (This confirms you are not a robot.) Follow the instructions for confirming your account. You'll only have to register once.

96 Once you sign in, the top three icons on the Home Page turn into orange circles… This indicates that you’re signed in and can use these interactive features.

97 So, if we want to sign up for hearing notices to be emailed to us, we just click on the icon.

98 Best of all -- you can change your selections as often as you like!You can choose to receive hearing notices only when certain bill numbers are scheduled… Or you can choose to receive all the hearing notices issued by particular committees This page appears. You can choose to receive hearing notices for particular bills. Just enter the bill number in the “subscribe by measure” box. Add as many bills or resolutions you’d like. Any time one of them is scheduled for a hearing, you’ll get an with a link to the hearing notice telling you when and where the hearing is taking place and how to offer testimony. You may also want to subscribe to receive all the hearing notices issued by a particular committee. In the “subscribe by committee” area to the right, just click the boxes next to which committees you’d like to subscribe to. Be sure to click on the “Save and Exit” button, and you’re all set. It’s easy to come back to this page and change your selections as session progresses. Best of all -- you can change your selections as often as you like!

99 It’s easy to set up Tracking ListsFirst, Create a list – just name it something! Then populate the list with the bills and resolutions you’re interested in When you’re done, ask it to generate the report – print it out using the landscape orientation (or print it as a .pdf document, and it to your colleagues) The interactive “Measure Tracking” feature is an incredibly useful feature introduced by popular demand. In a nut shell, here’s all you need to know: First, Create a list – just name it something! Then populate the list with the bills and resolutions you’re interested in When you’re done, ask it to generate the report – print it out using the landscape orientation (or print it as a .pdf document, and it out to your colleagues)

100 After you sign in, click the “Measure Tracking” button to go to a page where you'll be able to create, modify, or simply view your lists.

101 If you're just starting, you’ll be told that you don’t have any lists yet. You'll need to create one.

102 Priority Ag Bills You can name it anything -- simply enter a name and click "Create List." (You can create many different lists, if you like. This is helpful if you have certain distinct areas of interest – for example, you can create separate lists for environmental legislation, education measures, housing, etc.) Let’s say you create one called “Priority Ag Bills.”

103 We’ve actually gone ahead and created a couple more for you – just to show you what it looks like when you have more than one. In any case, you’re working on the “Priority Ag Bills” list you just created. The next step is to click on "Show List."

104 So, click on “Show List.”

105 The list's name appears in the right column.Since your list doesn’t have anything in it yet, the site lets you know it’s empty and asks you to (please!) add something to it.

106 So, proceed to add as many measures to the list as you like -- just enter a bill number in the space and click on "Add a Measure." Repeat the process until you've added all the bills you'd like to appear on that list.

107 If you add notes, be sure to click “Save”If you'd like, you can "Add Notes" for any item to personalize your list or highlight an item. It's easy to add or delete items from your lists as the session progresses. If you add notes, be sure to click “Save”

108 When you’re done adding to your list, “Generate Report”When you’re done, click on "Generate Report.“ (In future, when you’re not making changes to your list and just want to see how your bills are doing, you’ll simply: Sign in. Click on “Measure Tracking” Click on “Show List” Click on “Generate Report” Easy!)

109 Voila! A beautiful report!Your list is presented as a very handy report which shows each measure, any notes you’ve added, the measure’s description, and its current status. We’ve dissected the list here, just to show you that your personalized “Notes” appear as a column on the report.

110 To see what’s changed recently, click the “Current Status” header…The report is sort-able. For example, you can sort it by “Current Status” to easily see which of the measures have had activity most recently. Check your measure tracking lists as often as you like.

111 To arrange your report by measure number, click the “Measure” heading…It’s easy to sort your list again, so that the bills appear in numerical order. Tips: When printing the report, use the landscape orientation for best results. Save it as a .pdf file if you want to attach it to an . You may also want to export it as an Excel file for further options. Why set up a tracking list if you’ve already signed up to receive hearing notices? The tracking list will allow you to follow each step of the bill, including when: votes are recorded; an amended bill is published and reported out of committee; a bill is up for third or final reading in the House or Senate chambers.

112 Tips on Bill Tracking ListsCan make just one list, or make lots of them – whatever works best for you Print out landscape style Convert to .pdf if want to to folks Instead of just deleting ‘dead’ measures from your list, may want to create a “Dead Measures” list – check it on occasion, strange things happen (this is also a good idea for 1st year of the interim) Just to review – tracking lists are easy to create! Use this feature! Print using the landscape orientation. To to colleagues, save the report as a .pdf document. And remember that “dead” doesn’t always mean “dead!”

113 Find information from past years using the “Archives” bar on the right side of the Legislature’s homepage The "Archives" bar (on right side of the Legislature’s homepage) provides access to measures introduced in previous sessions as far back as After you select a year, you can search by keyword or bill number to find measures, or use one of the many reports links to find lists of bills, resolutions, Governor's Messages or acts.

114 Lists the previous sessions back to 1999 – just pick the one you wantThe resulting page gives you a choice of years -- pick the one you’re interested in.

115 Helpful reports and lists – to make your life easier!Takes you back in time! Helpful reports and lists – to make your life easier! It allows you to search by keyword or measure number, or you can use the document directories or the many “Reports and Lists” presented to the right. Here you can find lists to allow you to search only the bills that became law, for example, or just resolutions for that year. It can be incredibly helpful in narrowing down your search, and saves you lots of time. If you find you need something that’s not online, we can point you to the right resource – usually the LRB library or the State archives.

116 The online version of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS)One last thing… The online version of the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) There are 14 volumes We’re almost through! The last thing we want to make sure you know is that the 14 volumes that make up the Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) is online. The HRS is the codified law that is frequently cited and changed in legislation.

117 You can easily find existing lawsYou can easily find existing laws. Use this search box on the left-hand side of the home page.

118 Find existing laws by using the “Hawaii Revised Statutes” sectionThere’s some help with searching available via a link at the top of the column of search boxes.

119 You can search for words or phrasesbicycl* You can search for a word, words, or a specific phrase… and the search box will bring up all the references in HRS.

120 The Table of Contents allows you to scroll through the HRSOr select the Table of Contents, to see how the laws are organized… Here’s what the table of contents looks like.

121 The Index and Supplemental Index are helpful when you’re not sure what terms to useYou may prefer to look at the Index to see a list of subjects. If you click on the “Supplemental Index” or the “Index” it brings you to a list much like the yellow pages…

122 If you need to find “§291C-146,” you can “Browse the HRS Sections” to go right to it…If you know specifically where you want to go, click on the “Browse HRS Sections” link. If someone told us to look at HRS 291C-146, we click here…

123 Up would come a list of the Volumes…we’d find that Vol 05 has chapter 291C in it…

124 We’d then find 291C…

125 Then 291C-146…

126 And up comes that statuteAnd up comes that statute! We could then page forward or back, or return to the chapter by clicking the links on the bottom of the page. Who knew that in Hawaii there’s a law that says you’ve got to keep at least one hand on the handlebars when you’re riding a bike?! This also serves as a good example of the wide range of issues we ask our legislators to consider and decide on. From hands on handle bars to environmental issues and budget concerns and everything in between. They can’t possibly do it alone! They need the public to add their voices, expertise, and experience to enhance the discussion and help make the best laws for our State.

127 Whew! Whew!

128 Warning: There is no known cure for the political virus.Keep it up! Warning: There is no known cure for the political virus. Keep it up! If you’re reading this, you’ve obviously contracted the virus –

129 However, treatment is available…Participate in your democracy Treatment is available – Participate in your democracy. You’re always welcome in the Public Access Room!

130 Of course, we live in the real world…And this is how others might depict the process – We’ve talked about how bills become laws, but of course, we live in the real world. Here’s how others might describe the process…

131 We get a legislator to introduce a bill for a double-decker tree swingWe get a legislator to introduce a bill for a double-decker tree swing. Wonderful. But then, it gets changed in one of the committees. They insist it should be double-wide instead. Fine. We can live with that. It then gets changed again, this time on the floor during second reading (this can happen – though it doesn’t very often). Strange change, though, as now it’s not going to be of any use to anyone! It’s blocked by the tree trunk! Luckily, before the bill is enacted they’ve fixed it, sort of – they’ve dissected the tree trunk, put up support braces – it’s not very pretty, but I guess it’s something. Someone’s going to hit their head though… Unfortunately, along the way the funding provision got stripped from the bill so there was no money allocated to do anything. So, the state agency does what it can, which isn’t much help – it’s a useless swing, lying on the ground. Along the way, the media’s reported on all of this, but at times they seem to have things completely upside down. As for the public, it’s not even on their radar! Not at all. And what was actually needed, was a tire swing. That would have been the best solution. So, this is to illustrate a couple of things: 1) Keep your sense of humor. Helping to shape laws is a serious thing, but keeping your sense of humor will help to keep you sane. 2) Don’t be too wed to your initial vision. If we were sure the double-decker tree swing was the only answer, we would be blind to a much better solution! 131

132 Public Access Room Phone: 808 / Website: LRBhawaii.org/PAR Thanks for hanging in there for all of that! If there’s just one thing to take from this presentation, let it be this: the Public Access Room (PAR) is your office at the State Capitol. We’re non-partisan and there’s never a fee. Please don’t hesitate to contact us – we’re happy to help! Our contact information: Phone: 808/ Website: LRBhawaii.org/PAR