REPUBLICAN RECALL ATTEMPT CALLED GRANDSTANDING

House Democrats today assailed their Republican counterparts for grandstanding in the attempt to push through an age of consent bill without benefit of a public hearing, according to Rep. Marcus R. Oshiro, Majority Leader.

"It was premature and ill-conceived," Oshiro said. "The measure (House Bill 236) was in no danger with regard to the first lateral deadline this Friday. They really had no basis for recalling the bill from the Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs Committee.'

During today's floor session, the 19 Republican members voted to recall HB 236 in an attempt to force a second reading of the bill and put it up for third and final vote. However, the attempt failed when House Democrats successfully re-committed the bill to the Judiciary Committee.

In floor remarks, the Republicans claimed they took the action because they received no assurances from Judiciary Chair Rep. Eric Hamakawa that he would hear age of consent legislation.

"That's shibai," Oshiro said. "Rep. Hamakawa never said he would not hear such a bill, either. The reality is that every committee chair must be given the flexibility to manage the limited time available and prioritize the hundreds of bills facing the Legislature.

"Most disturbing to me is the fact that the Minority is more than willing to usurp the process in order to try and ram legislation through without an opportunity for a public hearing," Oshiro said. "This creates unwarranted delays and threatens the Legislature's ability to address all the measures it must in the limited time allotted. To me, that is just irresponsible and a waste of valuable time."

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