STATEMENT BY REPRESENTATIVE ERIC G. HAMAKAWA ON THE RECALL OF HOUSE BILL NO. 236

"I am appalled that the House Republican leaders pulled House Bill No. 236 out of the Judiciary Committee during today's session to force a floor vote. It is unconscionable that they would even consider such a tactic at this early state in the process.

"Unlike the Republicans who think they know what the public wants, I do not take liberties with the public's constitutional right to voice their concerns about a proposed law. As the Senate found out at yesterday's hearing, there is a range of opinions on this very controversial topic and many options to consider. Simply raising the age of consent will not prevent teenagers from having sex. I recognize the concerns raised about sexual predators preying on children, but at the same time, I hear from our law enforcement officials that we have tough criminal laws regarding sexual crimes already on the books.

"This year, five bills were introduced in the House of Representatives that relate to the age of sexual consent. Three of these bills were introduced by Democrats. The Senate scheduled a hearing yesterday because their bills had to be heard before this Friday to meet a legislative deadline. All of the House bills on this issue have only a single referral and are therefore not subject to the same deadline. The deadline for the single referral bills is March 2, leaving the Judiciary Committee nearly three (3) weeks to consider bills. This week, the Committee is hearing the bills that have to meet Friday's deadline and all of those issues deserve our concentrated effort.

"Many legitimate concerns were raised at the Senate hearing yesterday. To bring this bill out on the House floor without giving the public the right to speak is a grave injustice to our legislative process. I fail to see the rush to recall this issue out of my committee. In fact, I haven't even been approached by a Republican House member with a request to hear any of these bills.

"I hope in the future the House Republicans will feel free to discuss their concerns with me so that we can avoid threats and "chain-rattling". Obviously, in this case, their concerns to protect minors mirror those of many House members, including the Democrats. We can accomplish this if we work together and include the public so that we will truly learn their concerns."

Should you have any questions, or would like further clarification, please contact Kimberly Sugawa-Fujinaga, JHA Committee Clerk at 586-8480.

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