Photo of Karl Rhoads
D Hawaii Senate · District 13

Sen. Karl Rhoads

Compare
Total votes
4,982
all sessions
Attendance
0%
2,198 missed
Lower than 84% of chamber peers
With party
99%
of cast votes
Lower than 76% of chamber peers
Bipartisan score
1%
crosses aisle rarely
Higher than 92% of chamber peers
Sponsored
2,869
bills & resolutions
Higher than 84% of chamber peers
Committees
3
assignments
2,869 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
2,869
Primary
2,865
Co-sponsor
4
This page
2,869
matching current filters
Primary SR 111
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
URGING THE INSURANCE DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY FEASIBLE OPTIONS AND MECHANISMS TO PROTECT THE STATE AND ITS RESIDENTS AGAINST THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON THE AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY OF INSURANCE.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies to form a working group aimed at addressing how climate change is affecting insurance availability and costs for residents. The proposed group would include officials from the Insurance Division, Attorney General, and various legislative committees to study insurance risks from extreme weather events. Key tasks include evaluating current recovery options and exploring legal strategies to seek financial compensation from fossil fuel companies, which the resolution identifies as responsible for climate-related damages. The measure focuses on protecting state resources and ensuring affordable insurance coverage without mandating specific policy changes or taking a stance on liability.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SCR 178
Signed into law · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
URGING ALL STATE AND COUNTY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN CONSTRUCTION PROCUREMENT TO IMPLEMENT PROMPT PAYMENT TRANSPARENCY MEASURES AND EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE PUBLIC WORKS DIVISION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING AND GENERAL SERVICES FOR ITS EFFORTS.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges all state and county agencies in Hawaii that handle construction projects to create public websites showing payment information for contractors and subcontractors. The bill asks these agencies to display details about job progress, payments made, and retained funds within one year of the resolution's adoption. It specifically thanks the Public Works Division for its existing transparency efforts and requests agencies unable to comply explain their barriers to the Legislature. While the resolution does not mandate immediate legal changes, it sets a timeline for agencies to report on their progress and consider future legislation to improve payment transparency in public construction.

Signed into law May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 139
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
REQUESTING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING TO INCREASE COMPENSATION FOR ADULT CORRECTIONS OFFICERS EMPLOYED BY THE STATE OF HAWAII'S DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests that the federal government provide supplemental funding to increase pay for adult corrections officers working for Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill aims to address severe staffing shortages and high turnover rates by using federal money to improve compensation, including base pay and retention incentives. It does not directly change state law or spending but serves as a formal appeal to federal officials for financial assistance to support public safety workforce stability.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 77
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
REQUESTING ALL STATE AGENCIES TO UTILIZE BI-LEVEL LIGHTING SYSTEMS IN ALL STATE BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES, THE DESIGN OF WHICH IS FINALIZED ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2028.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks state agencies to use bi-level lighting systems in all new state buildings starting January 1, 2027. Bi-level lighting adjusts brightness based on motion detection to reduce energy waste from lights staying on at full intensity. The resolution directs copies to various state officials and agencies responsible for construction and facility management. This measure aims to promote energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact through a specific building design requirement.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 165
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
REQUESTING THE HAWAIʻI CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION TO EXAMINE THE APPLICABILITY OF EXISTING STATE ANTI-DISCRIMINATION LAWS TO ALGORITHMIC AND AUTOMATED DECISION SYSTEMS.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission to study whether current state anti-discrimination laws cover decisions made by artificial intelligence and automated systems. The Commission would examine if existing rules can properly handle complaints about bias in areas like hiring, housing, and credit checks, and identify any legal or practical challenges in enforcing protections against algorithmic discrimination. The study will also consider whether new guidance or complaint processes are needed to help people understand their rights when facing automated decision-making. The Commission must submit its findings and any recommended laws to the state legislature by early 2027.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 179
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
REQUESTING THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND CONGRESS TO SUPPLY UKRAINE WITH THE WEAPONS NEEDED TO FULLY DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST RUSSIAN ATTACKS AND RETAKE ITS TERRITORY AS RECOGNIZED BY INTERNATIONAL LAW.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution from Hawaii requests that the U.S. President and Congress provide Ukraine with additional weapons to defend against Russian attacks and reclaim territories recognized under international law. The bill does not have the power to authorize funding or change federal policy, as it is a non-binding resolution that serves only to express the state's position. It highlights the ongoing conflict's humanitarian impact and calls for continued U.S. support to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and security. The resolution also urges President Trump to negotiate the withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukrainian territory.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 138
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 75
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 71
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
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.

Maddy summaryThis 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.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Primary SR 55
Passed · Hawaii Senate · Lead sponsor
ENDORSING TAIWAN'S INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION, SUPPORTING THE SIGNING OF A UNITED STATES-TAIWAN AGREEMENT ON AVOIDANCE OF DOUBLE TAXATION, AND COMMEMORATING THE SISTER-STATE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND TAIWAN.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution from Hawaii endorses Taiwan's participation in international organizations, supports a proposed tax agreement between the United States and Taiwan, and commemorates their sister-state relationship. The bill encourages Taiwan's observer status in bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization and International Criminal Police Organization, while urging the U.S. Trade Representative to negotiate a double taxation avoidance agreement. It also highlights existing cooperation in trade, education, climate research, and disaster management between Hawaii and Taiwan. The resolution is a symbolic gesture that expresses support for these relationships without creating new legal obligations or changing existing laws.

Passed May 12, 2026 0 co-sponsors
Showing 21 to 30 of 2,869 bills
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