Sen. Sharon Moriwaki

Maddy summarySCR 34 is a Hawaii Senate resolution requesting the state's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to improve export parity for Hawaii's agricultural products. It addresses USDA regulations that treat Hawaii similarly to U.S. territories, requiring lengthy approval processes for most fruits, vegetables, and plants to be shipped to the continental U.S. Unlike other states, Hawaii's export petitions face delays because USDA prioritizes foreign country petitions over state requests. The resolution does not change laws but formally asks federal representatives to advocate for Hawaii's growers, who face years-long waits for export authorizations.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to impose user fees that apply solely to nonresidents visiting state parks and trails, as selected by the Board. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 7/1/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Maddy summarySCR 33 is a resolution requesting the Tax Review Commission to study how to fund and implement Hawaii's Long-Term Care Financing Program, which was established by law in 2002 but lacks a defined funding mechanism. The Commission must examine specific options like a revised tax credit for long-term care insurance (similar to a 2003 proposal) and review past reports, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution does not create new law but directs the Commission to analyze financing options for a program intended to provide affordable long-term care for all eligible residents, regardless of income. It affects the Tax Review Commission (tasked with the study) and the Legislature (which will receive the report to inform future decisions).

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 19 requests the Hawaii Tax Review Commission to identify funding options for the state's Long-Term Care Financing Program, established under Act 245 (2002) but lacking implementation details. The resolution specifically asks the Commission to consider revising a previously vetoed tax credit proposal (S.B. 1088, 2003) and analyze cost-effective financing mechanisms. It requires the Commission to submit a report by August 2026, including potential implementation methods, costs, and recommended legislation. This resolution does not create new policy but directs a review to inform future program development.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 20 requests Hawaii's congressional delegation to ask the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address unequal export rules for Hawaii's agricultural products. Currently, Hawaii faces stricter USDA restrictions than other states for exporting crops like fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers to the mainland, requiring lengthy approvals for each commodity. The resolution notes that Hawaii's export petitions are processed slower than foreign countries' requests, causing years-long delays for growers. This non-binding resolution seeks to improve export parity without changing existing laws.

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity". Renames the Board of Agriculture to the "Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity" and amends the composition of the Board. Part II: Establishes and appropriates funds for a Deputy Director of Biosecurity. Part III: Changes references to the plant and animal declaration form to the "biosecurity form". Part IV: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Board to quarantine an area under certain conditions. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part V: Requires the Department to establish and regularly update an invasive species dashboard. Authorizes pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Part VI: Appropriates funds for positions for the Department. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Clarifies that the importation of any pest or material infested or infected with an insect or other animal, disease, or pest is prohibited. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to administratively inspect any article imported or moved into the State from the continental United States or between the Hawaiian Islands. Prohibits the sale, barter, or donation of items or material that is a pest, is infested or infected with a pest, or prohibited from being sold. Authorizes the Department of Agriculture to compel the quarantine, treatment, or destruction of certain materials. Clarifies penalties for various quarantine and import law violations, based in part on whether violations were knowingly committed. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)