Sen. Karl Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests Hawaii's Attorney General to compile and provide a list of state lands currently leased to the U.S. or federal agencies, including details on lease terms such as the $1 annual rent for military sites. It directs the Attorney General to also assess whether current leasing practices comply with state constitutional or legal requirements. The resolution is procedural and does not change existing leases or impose new obligations. It focuses solely on gathering information to inform future decisions about state land management.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 6) urges Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to create a working group focused on reducing delays caused by insurance prior authorization requirements. The group would include 15 members representing insurers, healthcare providers, consumers, and employers, plus agency officials, to study specific practices like 24-hour response times for urgent care and longer validity periods for medications. It requires the group to examine how prior authorization impacts timely care and propose solutions, including potential policy changes. The working group must submit its recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to inform future legislative action on insurance approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SR 8) recognizes April 21-28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii. It requests residents to support dark sky preservation and directs the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a task force. The task force, including state officials, astronomers, tourism representatives, and federal agencies, will study light pollution reduction, energy conservation, wildlife protection, and strategies like dark sky parks. It does not create new laws but aims to guide future policy on preserving Hawaii’s natural night skies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 17) is a symbolic statement from Hawaii's legislature, not a binding law. It endorses Taiwan's participation as an observer in key international organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and United Nations climate talks. The resolution also supports negotiations for a U.S.-Taiwan bilateral trade agreement under the existing U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade and commemorates Hawaii's 32-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan. It does not create new policies or affect any specific groups directly but formally expresses Hawaii's support for deeper U.S.-Taiwan economic ties and international cooperation.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 111), not a law. It urges the State of Hawaii to support and adopt recommendations from the United Nations Global Plastics Treaty and the Rapa Nui Summit Declaration. The resolution highlights goals like reducing plastic packaging by 30% over 12 years, phasing out single-use plastics (bags, straws, containers), and promoting reuse systems, but does not impose new legal requirements or funding on the state. It serves as a symbolic endorsement of international efforts to address plastic pollution and climate justice.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 110) urges the State of Hawaii to purchase the historic Hawaii Theatre in downtown Honolulu. The resolution highlights that the theatre, a 1922 landmark, has hosted cultural performances for decades and that the state has already invested $30 million in its renovation. It asks the state to acquire the theatre to preserve its cultural significance, ensure continued public access to arts programming, and collaborate with local arts organizations on future operations. As a non-binding resolution, it does not require state action but formally recommends this approach to support Honolulu’s cultural and economic vitality.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 127 urges the State of Hawaii to adopt the United Nations BBNJ Agreement (which focuses on conserving marine biodiversity in international waters) and to support legislative, administrative, and policy actions to implement it at state and county levels. The resolution emphasizes the agreement's goals of protecting ocean ecosystems from threats like pollution and climate change, while promoting fair sharing of marine genetic resources. It does not create new laws but calls for Hawaii to align its policies with this international framework. This resolution directly affects Hawaii's state and county governments, encouraging them to develop relevant policies without binding legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 53) requests Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to form a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Working Group. The group, including pharmacy associations, insurers, and state agencies, will evaluate PBM practices to improve transparency, lower drug costs for patients, and increase healthcare access. It will specifically examine issues like fair pharmacy reimbursements, PBM reporting requirements, and practices that restrict patient access. The Working Group must submit recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to identify policy reforms for future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 124) expressing support for implementing recommendations from the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process, where relevant to the state. It urges Hawaii officials to consider these recommendations in state policy but does not create new laws, funding, or enforceable obligations. The resolution requests transmission of a certified copy to the UN Secretary-General, Human Rights High Commissioner, and Hawaii's congressional delegation. As a symbolic gesture, it aligns Hawaii with international human rights standards without specifying concrete policy changes.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 91 requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to study whether the state should establish a green bonds program. Green bonds are financial tools that raise capital specifically for environmentally focused projects like renewable energy, conservation, and clean infrastructure. The study must examine best practices for managing such a program, identify clean energy initiatives that could benefit from funding, and explore potential partnerships between state agencies and private companies. The Energy Office must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026, providing a basis for future decisions about implementing a green bonds program. This resolution does not create a program but seeks an evaluation to inform potential policy action.