HONOLULU (KHON2) — The Hawaii Association of Broadcasters is calling out Governor Josh Green over his intent to veto “a legislative bill that addresses an outdated state statute that allows a mayor or the Governor to suspend the transmission of electronic media during a state of emergency.”

Currently the Governor or County Mayor may shut off utilities or suspend services and electronic media transmission–to the extent permitted by or under federal law.

However, suspending electronic media transmission by state or county authorities is not permitted under any federal law, according to HAB.

“ʻElectronic mediaʻ as described in HRS §127A potentially includes radio, television, internet, cable, cell service, text messaging and social media transmissions.”

“The Governor or Mayors’ ability to suspend any and all ‘electronic media transmissions’ during a state of emergency creates a clear prior restraint on lawful free speech and publication and violates the First Amendment as upheld by the United States Supreme Court,” says Chris Leonard, President of the Hawaii Association of Broadcasters. “The current statute clearly represents government overreach in granting the state and county government a ‘blank check’ to shut down all electronic media transmission without providing an explanation for why this is necessary, what systems are affected, for how long, and how decisions would be made.”

Another version of HB 2581 does not include language allowing the Governor and Mayoral powers to suspend electronic media transmission in a state of emergency.

“We are very concerned that we have a law on the books that jeopardizes public safety and our ability to deliver a vital lifeline to the public,” says Leonard. “A simple edit to HRS § 127A will allow us to continue to deliver potentially life-saving information and keep our communities informed during a state of emergency, a time when we need more, not less communication.”

The following is a news release from the College of Eastern Idaho.

IDAHO FALLS — The College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Lori Barber as the second president of CEI. She is expected to assume the office on August 1, 2024.

The Board of Trustees thanks the entire College community for participating in the presidential finalist forums. All feedback was reviewed and greatly valued by the Board. This collaborative and concerted work truly enriched the search process. Board Chair Park Price stated — “I would like to express appreciation to the Presidential Search Committee for their time, dedication, and thoughtful work on behalf of CEI. President Rick Aman has built a strong leadership team at CEI and Dr. Barber has been a key member of that team. The trustees are confident that Dr. Barber will build upon the success that CEI has enjoyed thus far.”

Dr. Barber has served as Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs at College of Eastern Idaho since 2019. Previously, Dr. Barber served as the Dean of General Education at CEI. Dr. Barber earned a Doctor of Education in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University; a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in History and Anthropology from Idaho State University; and a Bachelor of Arts and Letters in History from Idaho State University. She recently spearheaded the development and state approval of two applied baccalaureate degrees, making CEI the only community college in the state to offer two such programs. Under her leadership, CEI’s Academic and Student Affairs achieved a successful year-7 accreditation reaffirmation. Additionally, Dr. Barber has been a member of the Idaho Launch Initiative Policy Committee, contributing to the creation of guidelines for distributing $75 million to Idaho high school seniors.

“I am honored to have been selected as the second President of College of Eastern Idaho.” Said Dr. Barber. “As CEI moves into this new phase, I am thrilled to lead the College to the next level of excellence. I am excited to work with business and industry leaders to ensure they have the exceptionally trained workforce they need. I am equally excited to work with our four-year university partners to transfer academically strong learners to their institutions. I have a clear vision for how we can continue to grow as a cutting-edge institution. With our talented faculty and staff, I am ready to lead CEI in its continued success, building on the best that already exists and creating new possibilities of excellence.”

MISSOULA: A judge on Tuesday struck down a Montana law that defined “sex” in state law as only male or female, finding that it was unconstitutional.
District court judge Shane Vannatta in Missoula ruled the law, passed last year, violated the state constitution because the description of the legislation did not clearly state its purpose.
Transgender, nonbinary, intersex and other plaintiffs challenged the law, similar to ones passed in Kansas and Tennessee, because they said it denies legal recognition and protections to people who are gender-nonconforming.
Vannatta did not address that argument, simply finding that the bill’s title did not explain whether the word “sex” referred to sexual intercourse or gender, and did not indicate that the words “female” and “male” would be defined in the body of the bill.
“The title does not give general notice of the character of the legislation in a way that guards against deceptive or misleading titles,” Vannatta wrote.
The bill was approved during a legislative session that also passed a ban on gender-affirming medical care for transgender minors and saw transgender lawmaker democratic rep Zooey Zephyr expelled from the house floor, following a protest against republican lawmakers who had silenced her.
The law that was struck down by Vannatta was sponsored by republican senator Carl Glimm, who said the legislation was necessary after a 2022 court ruling in which a state judge said transgender residents could change the gender markers on their birth certificates.
A spokesperson for republican governer Greg Gianforte, who signed the bill into law, did not immediately return an after-hours email seeking comment on the ruling.
The American civil liberties union of Montana praised it.
“Today’s ruling is an important vindication of the safeguards that the Montana constitution places on legislative enactments,” the group’s legal director, Alex Rate, said.