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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 138: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO UNDERTAKE A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE REVIEW OF CIVIL SERVICE CLASS SPECIFICATIONS, MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, AND CLASSIFICATIONS AND DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A PHASED MODERNIZATION IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Human Resources Development to conduct a comprehensive review of state civil service job descriptions and classifications to modernize the workforce and improve recruitment and retention. The review will assess whether current job descriptions accurately reflect today's duties and skills, evaluate classification structures for outdated or fragmented categories, and analyze salary competitiveness against private and public sector markets. Additionally, the resolution explores the potential use of artificial intelligence tools to assist in analyzing job data, with strict safeguards ensuring human oversight and compliance with civil service protections. The department is asked to consult with employees and unions, develop implementation recommendations, and submit a final report to the Legislature by early 2027.
Karl Rhoads (D) Brandon Elefante (D) Troy Hashimoto (D) Angus McKelvey (D) Stanley Chang (D)
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 56: URGING THE DIVISION OF BOATING AND OCEAN RECREATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP A PROGRESSIVE ENFORCEMENT FRAMEWORK FOR PARKING VIOLATIONS IN PARKING LOTS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION; ENSURE PROPER USE OF PARKING AREAS BY INTENDED USERS; AND IMPROVE THE PREVALENCE AND CLARITY OF SIGNAGE REGARDING PARKING REGULATIONS, FEES, AND PENALTIES.

This Senate Resolution urges the Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation to create a clearer system for handling parking violations at its small boat harbors, which are located across Hawaii. The bill specifically asks the agency to improve signage that explains parking rules, fees, and penalties so drivers understand the regulations before arriving. It also recommends that the agency use warnings before towing vehicles for minor violations, reserving enforcement officers for their primary conservation duties rather than routine parking tickets. This measure applies to all sixteen small boat harbors under the division's jurisdiction and aims to ensure parking spaces are used by their intended users.
Sharon Moriwaki (D)
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 151: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

This Senate Resolution urges four state housing agencies in Hawaii to develop a housing ladder program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to support upward mobility. As a Senate Resolution, this bill does not create new laws or funding but instead requests that the agencies collaborate to create a plan and report their findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.
Donovan Dela Cruz (D)
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 44: SUPPORTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S EFFORTS TO COORDINATE THE STOCKPILING OF A THREE-YEAR SUPPLY OF MIFEPRISTONE.

This Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's Department of Health to coordinate storing a three-year supply of mifepristone, a medication used in medical abortions. The bill directly affects the state's public health infrastructure and aims to ensure continued access to abortion care by maintaining a medication supply that could be affected by FDA policy changes or supply chain disruptions. It builds on the state's existing reproductive health protections and acknowledges that mifepristone has a five-year shelf life, making long-term stockpiling feasible. The resolution is non-binding and directs the Department of Health to determine the appropriate quantities needed for this three-year supply.
Troy Hashimoto (D) Lorraine Inouye (D) Tim Richards (D) · 2 co-sponsors
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 75: REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT TO COLLABORATE WITH STATE DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND LABOR ORGANIZATIONS IN COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION SYSTEMS FOR ALL CIVIL SERVICE POSITIONS UNDER ITS JURISDICTION.

This Senate Resolution asks the Department of Human Resources Development to work with state agencies and labor organizations to finish reviewing how civil service jobs are classified and paid. The request focuses on departments with high vacancy rates or hard-to-fill positions to help address the state's labor shortage. This collaborative approach aims to gather practical insights from those directly managing hiring and retention challenges. The resolution directs DHRD to prioritize areas with the most significant staffing gaps when developing recommendations for updating the system.
Jarrett Keohokalole (D) Karl Rhoads (D) Brandon Elefante (D) Troy Hashimoto (D) Angus McKelvey (D)
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 31: REQUESTING CERTAIN STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES, IN COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE STATEWIDE FOOD SECURITY STRATEGY.

This Senate Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill aims to address food insecurity, which currently affects about 32% of households in Hawaii, with higher rates among families with children and marginalized communities. The proposed strategy must be data-driven and equity-focused, requiring agencies to assess barriers to food access, analyze trends like climate change impacts, and recommend policies to reduce food costs while supporting local agriculture. Participating agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.
Lorraine Inouye (D) Mike Gabbard (D) Angus McKelvey (D) · 2 co-sponsors
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 134: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

This Senate resolution asks the Hawaii State Department of Health to set up dust monitoring stations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, where a sanitary landfill is located, to measure airborne particles that could affect public health. The bill directs the department to install devices that track fine and coarse particulate matter, share real-time data with the public, and create a plan to notify residents if pollution levels become unsafe. It also requires the department to submit a detailed report to the Legislature within 20 days before the 2027 session, outlining the stations' locations, detected contaminants, potential health risks, and recommended mitigation strategies. The resolution involves coordination between the state health department, the City and County of Honolulu, and other relevant agencies to address air quality concerns in the area.
Kurt Fevella (R)
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 150: URGING THE ADOPTION OF SHARED GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR THE RESTORATION OF WAIKIKI BEACHES.

This Senate Resolution urges the adoption of shared guiding principles for restoring and maintaining Waikiki beaches, which are vital to Hawaii's economy, culture, and public access. The bill proposes a collaborative approach involving the state, county, federal agencies, and private property owners to plan and fund beach improvements from Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to Kaimana Beach. Key provisions include prioritizing public access to the ocean, conserving natural resources, coordinating regional planning for sand movement, and clarifying that property owners must maintain seawalls and infrastructure above the shoreline.
Sharon Moriwaki (D)
passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 32: REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MARINE LIFE CONSERVATION DISTRICT CARRYING CAPACITY STUDY TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A STATEWIDE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the creation of a task force to develop a statewide plan for studying how many people can use Hawaii's marine life conservation districts without harming the ecosystems. The task force will be made up of representatives from state agencies, county governments, universities, community groups, and commercial ocean recreation operators. Its main job is to design a framework for carrying capacity studies, prioritize which districts to study first, set standards for how studies are conducted, and identify the funding and staffing needed to implement the program. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the legislature by the end of 2026, which may include proposed legislation to officially establish the statewide program.
Angus McKelvey (D) Stanley Chang (D) Dru Kanuha (D) Tim Richards (D) · 3 co-sponsors
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 71: REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE REFERENCE BUREAU AND DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE ON WAYS TO STRENGTHEN PROTECTIONS FOR SURVIVORS OF IMAGE-BASED SEXUAL ABUSE.

This Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, working with the Attorney General's office, to create a working group that reviews how other states protect victims of image-based sexual abuse. The group will examine existing laws and policies to identify ways to improve protections for survivors, who face issues like nonconsensual sharing of explicit images and videos. The working group will include service providers and survivors of gender-based violence to ensure their perspectives are considered. The group must submit a report with findings and recommendations, including any proposed new laws, to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
Karl Rhoads (D) Brandon Elefante (D) Carol Fukunaga (D) Joy San Buenaventura (D) · 1 co-sponsor
passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 79: ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO EXAMINE REQUIRING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATORS IN ALL STATE-OWNED BUILDINGS AND PURSUE EXISTING AUTOMATED EXTERNAL DEFIBRILLATOR PROGRAMS.

This Senate Resolution encourages the State of Hawaii to consider mandating automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in all state-owned buildings and to pursue existing AED programs. AEDs are portable devices that can restore normal heart rhythm during cardiac arrest, with survival rates dropping significantly for each minute without treatment. The resolution also highlights the need for AED training programs, noting that while some organizations offer such education, the state currently lacks legislatively mandated training initiatives. The bill directs the Director of Health and the Comptroller to receive copies of this resolution for further review and action.
Brandon Elefante (D) Carol Fukunaga (D) Lorraine Inouye (D) Mike Gabbard (D) Angus McKelvey (D) · 2 co-sponsors
passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 160: URGING THE HAWAII PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITY, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES' HOMELESS PROGRAMS OFFICE, STATEWIDE OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING SOLUTIONS, AND HAWAII HOUSING FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION TO CREATE A HOUSING LADDER PROGRAM TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES GRADUATE INTO UNSUBSIDIZED HOUSING.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges four Hawaii state housing agencies to develop a "housing ladder" program designed to help individuals and families move from subsidized housing into non-subsidized, market-rate housing. The proposed program would include support services such as financial counseling, workforce training, transitional rental assistance, and partnerships with private housing providers to facilitate upward mobility. The bill does not create new funding or mandate specific actions but instead requests the agencies to collaborate on creating this program and report their findings to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure aims to address housing shortages by freeing up subsidized housing units for those still waiting while helping current participants achieve greater financial stability.
Donovan Dela Cruz (D)
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