How to Submit Testimony

Testifying Remotely 101

Community participation in committee hearings is highly encouraged through written and remote oral testimony via Zoom. The process is as follows:

1. Create an account

Before submitting written testimony or signing up to testify remotely, you must create an account by going to the Hawaii state legislature's website (capitol.hawaii.gov). By creating an account, you not only can submit testimony online, but also sign up for hearing notifications and create a measure tracking list.

On the homepage of the website, you can click "Register" on the top right corner. Then fill out the required fields (ex. name, email) and click "Create User" at the bottom. After doing so, you will receive a confirmation email. Check your email and click the link to confirm your account.

If you already have an account, you do not need to create a new one as you can submit testimony through that account by signing back in.

2. Submit testimony online and/or request to testify remotely via Zoom

To submit testimony online, click on the mail icon titled "Testimony" in the center of the home page. Then enter the bill number you want to submit testimony for and click on the "Get Hearing" button. You will be directed to a form where you can write your testimony. On the form you can specify whether you are only submitting written testimony or both written and via Zoom.

Fill out the form, and upload your testimony by clicking on the "Choose File" button or by typing your testimony into the "testimony/comments" box. Written testimony is required even if you are testifying remotely. Then click "Submit" at the top of the page.

If you have requested to remotely testify (and your testimony is accepted by the committee chair), three hours before the hearing begins, a "Join" button will appear in the "Your Testimony" page. 

Important note: Strict deadlines apply for testifying. If you want to testify or submit testimony, you must do so 24 hour prior to the hearing. If you do not, your testimony will be considered "late testimony," and the committee chair can choose whether or not to hear it.

3. Testifying remotely via Zoom

Sign into your Hawaii State Legislature account 20-30 minutes before the hearing is scheduled to start. Click the orange "Testimony" button, and click the "Join" button in the "Your Testimony" page. When you join the Zoom call, make sure to do the following:

1. Change your Zoom name to the same first and last time you provided on the testimony form;
2. Keep the "Chat" panel open;
3. Keep your microphone muted and video off until it is your turn to testify.

Right before it is your turn to testify, you will receive a request to share your video. When the Chair calls on you, unmute your microphone and address the committee.

Tips:

• Test your audio and video before joining the meeting;
• Check beforehand that your internet connection is working;
• Turn off or minimize any background noises;
• Be conscious about what is visible in the background of your camera;
• Check the "Chat" panel frequently when in the meeting.

If you have any questions about the testimony process or need assistance, call 808-587-0478 or email par@capitol.hawaii.gov.

2021 Legislative Session Recap

The 2021 Hawaii Legislative Session convened on January 20, 2021 and concluded on April 29, 2021. 

Over 3,000 bills were introduced during the 2021 session and of those BIA tracked 421 bills and submitted over 50 testimonies.

BIA supported 50 measures.  Four (4) bills passed supported by BIA testimony & lobbying efforts including:

HB77 - Relating to lands controlled by the State

HB1278 - Relating to employment security.

HB1348 - Relating to the Stadium Development District.

SB140 - Relating to community development.

BIA opposed 29 measures - 28 bills did not pass supported by BIA opposing testimony and lobbying efforts.

BIA's overall WIN rate was 41%

In addition, BIA monitored 322 bills and provided comments on five.

View the comprehensive report of 421 tracked bills HERE.

BIA's 2021 Legislative Priorities included:

1. Amendments to the State Building Code Council.
2. Support of the Governor's Director on Housing position in the Administration.
3. Boundary Amendments

Highlights of 2021 BIA Hawaii Testimony Submitted

Bill 40: Testimony October 6, 2021

210615 Governor Veto Request: SB 1329 SD2 HD3 CD1 (Relating to Procurement)

210323_SB756: Relating to EV Parking

210319_HB497: Relating to County Zoning Ordinances

210318_SB866: Relating to Affordable Housing

210318_SB29: Relating to Housing Requirements

210302_SB137: Relating to Boundary Amendments

210226_SB1104: Relating to Contractors Recovery Fund

210225_HB526: Relating to Past Performance Procurement

210225_HB1131: Relating to SBCC

210216_HB1325: Relating to the Procurement Code

210216_SB1407: Relating to the State Building Code Council

210204_CCRes21-22: Nomination of Dean Y. Uchida for Director of Dept. of Planning and Permitting

210204_HB77: Relating to Lands Controlled by the State

210204_HB212: Relating to Fire Protection

210204_SB223: Relating to Contracting

210205_SB1: Relating to Housing

210205_SB1423: Related to Stadium Development District 

210209_HB260:Relating to Housing

210209_HB1140: Relating to Electric Vehicles

210209_HB1277: Relating to an Office of the Housing Advocate 

210210_HB1131: Relating to the State Building Code Council 

210211_HB497: Relating to County Zoning Ordinances 

Highlights of 2020 BIA Hawaii Testimony Submitted

October 1, 2020 Chief Justice's Appointment Order No. 2020-1, Consideration and Confirmation to the District Court, First Circuit, Judicial Nominee, Karin Holma

August 19, 2020: BILL 58: Relating to Clean Energy Projects

August 19, 2020: Bills No. 55, 56 and 57 Relating to Detached Dwellings

August 8, 2020: Relating to Bill 179 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A COUNTY CONSTRUCTION CODE, RELATING TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED SYSTEMS WITHIN A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY AMENDING THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983

July 22, 2020: Relating to Bill 179 AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A COUNTY CONSTRUCTION CODE, RELATING TO BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND RELATED SYSTEMS WITHIN A BUILDING UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY AMENDING THE HAWAII COUNTY CODE 1983

July 16, 2020: Bill No. 42, Relating to Building Permit Applications

June 18, 2020: Bill No. 42, Relating to Building Permit Applications

June 3, 2020: Resolution 20-138, Stakeholder Group to Discuss Economic Assistance and Revitalization in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

June 3, 2020: Bill No. 40, Relating to Community Workforce Agreements

May 21, 2020: Resolution 20-119, Proposing an Amendment to Chapter 21, Revised Ordinances of Honolulu 1990, Relating to Waste Disposal and Processing Facilities

May 21, 2020: Bill No. 66 Proposed CD 1, RELATING TO BUILDING PERMITS

May 21, 2020: Bill No. 2 (2020), LUO Amendment Relating to Off-Street Parking and Loading

May 20, 2020: Bill No. 25 - Relating to The Adoption of the State Energy Conservation 

April 15, 2020: Resolution No. 20-85 Urging the City Administration to Streamline the Building Permit Application Review and Approval process to Enhance Economic Recovery from the Effects of the Covid-19 Pandemic

April 15, 2020: Bill No. 26 Relating to fees for certain permits and services administered by the Department of Planning and Permitting

February 19, 2020: Bills No. 2768, Draft 1, and No. 2769, Draft 1

January 23, 2020: Bill No. 25 - Relating to The Adoption of the State Energy Conservation Code