Sen. Karl Rhoads

Establishes the Mixed-Income Subaccount within the Rental Housing Revolving Fund that targets workforce rental housing projects for persons and families with incomes at or below one hundred forty per cent of the area median income. Authorizes the Director of Finance to transfer funds from the Rental Housing Revolving Fund into the Mixed-Income Subaccount. Appropriates funds into and out of the Mixed-Income Subaccount of the Rental Housing Revolving Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and meets certain criteria. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySCR 132 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution encouraging Hawaii to adopt recommendations from the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration. It highlights specific goals like phasing out single-use plastics (e.g., bags, straws, polystyrene containers) and reducing plastic packaging by 30% over 12 years (with 10% by 2027), without creating new legal requirements. The resolution focuses on promoting circular economy practices, supporting waste pickers, and integrating traditional Pacific knowledge, but does not mandate state action or affect specific entities.

Allows surviving immediate family members of deceased persons for whom law enforcement initiated an investigation to receive a copy of the closing report prepared by the investigating police department after a specified period of time. (SD2)

Maddy summarySCR 10 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to create a working group focused on health insurance prior authorization reforms. The working group would include representatives from insurance companies, healthcare providers, patients, and employers to study specific issues like reducing delays (e.g., setting 24-hour response times for urgent care), extending authorization validity for chronic conditions, and improving transparency in approval processes. It directly affects patients facing care delays, healthcare providers burdened by administrative tasks, and insurers requiring prior authorization. The resolution does not change laws but requests the group submit recommendations to the Legislature by late 2025.

Maddy summarySCR 110 is a resolution requesting the Hawaii State Energy Office to study whether the state can establish a green bonds program. The study would evaluate best practices for managing such a program, identify clean energy projects that could benefit from it, and explore partnerships with other agencies and private businesses. The Energy Office must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution does not create a new program but asks for a feasibility assessment to inform future decisions.

Maddy summarySCR 203 is a concurrent resolution requesting the University of Hawaii to study the feasibility of establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and identify requirements for securing federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. It directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate potential benefits for Hawaii residents (especially considering the state's large Asian American and Pacific Islander population), and outline steps to meet federal grant criteria. The resolution requires the university to submit a report by December 31, 2025, including a phased plan with timelines for feasibility assessment and potential center development. This is a non-binding request focused on exploration, not policy implementation.

Establishes the Illegal Fireworks Enforcement Division within the Department of Law Enforcement. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Amends emergency management laws to clarify state and county authority. Prohibits the Governor or Mayor from suspending requests for records or vital records and statistics during a state of emergency. Adds definition of the term "severe weather warning". Allows the Legislature and county councils to terminate a state of emergency after thirty days, in whole or in part, issued by the Governor or Mayor, respectively. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Establishes a three-year Pedestrian Safety Pilot Program in a county with population of two hundred fifty thousand or less, under certain conditions. Authorizes the Governor to revoke and abolish the Pilot Program and overturn a county's request to opt-out of the Pilot Program. Authorizes a county with a population of over two hundred fifty thousand to participate in the Pilot Program, subject to certain conditions. Requires reports to the Legislature. Requires a driver of a vehicle to yield to a pedestrian when the pedestrian clearly indicates their intention to cross a roadway within a crosswalk. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)