Sen. Karl Rhoads

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 106) passed by Hawaii's 2025 legislature. It urges the U.S. President not to defund federal law enforcement programs that support Hawaii's agencies, including county police departments and the Attorney General's office. The resolution cites Hawaii's reliance on approximately $3.8 billion in federal grants (2023) for programs like anti-drug initiatives and victim assistance. It does not change funding laws but formally expresses the legislature's position on federal funding priorities.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to study CEO-to-worker pay ratios across Hawaii companies. The study must determine pay gaps by industry, assess economic impacts, and identify policy options to reduce the ratio - specifically addressing nonprofits and utility-regulated companies. UHERO must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by April 2026. The resolution does not enact new laws but seeks data to inform future policy decisions.

Maddy summarySCR 130 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor to appoint members to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority, which was established by law but currently inactive. The resolution directs the Authority to plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer health care system, contingent on obtaining federal waivers to secure Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding. It does not create new law but requests the Authority submit a report to the Legislature by late 2025 with recommendations for implementation. The resolution directly affects the Governor (who must appoint members) and the Hawaii Health Authority (which would lead the planning). It focuses on administrative cost savings from a state-run system, not on specific healthcare delivery changes.

Maddy summarySCR 129 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Health to initiate education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 50%, prioritizing those below 30%. It directs these efforts to begin at the start of the 2025-2026 school year and requires collaboration with the Department of Education to develop a long-term plan. The resolution also mandates a report to the legislature by early 2026 detailing funding needs and administrative steps for implementation. This resolution affects Hawaii public, charter, and private schools with documented low vaccination rates, as identified by state health data.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill) passed by the Hawaii Legislature urging the U.S. President not to defund federal law enforcement programs in Hawaii. It cites that Hawaii received $3.8 billion in federal grants in 2023 for law enforcement programs like anti-drug initiatives and victim assistance, and warns that defunding would hinder responses to threats like human trafficking and gun violence. The resolution formally requests the President maintain this funding but has no legal effect.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires all health insurers in the State, excluding Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 109) urges Hawaii's Governor to appoint members to the dormant Hawaii Health Authority to plan for transitioning to a single-payer health care system. It specifies implementation should begin after securing federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding streams. The resolution requires the Authority to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026, focusing on planning for a cost-effective system without altering care delivery. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact policy but directs the Authority's reactivation for planning purposes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 108) urges Hawaii's Department of Health to launch education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 50%, prioritizing those below 30% starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directs the Department of Health to partner with the Department of Education to develop a long-term plan addressing vaccine hesitancy and to report progress to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not create new laws but requests specific actions to improve school vaccination rates based on current data showing concerning gaps. It targets all Hawaii public, charter, and private schools with low immunization rates, using proven community engagement models from other states as a framework.

Maddy summarySCR 156 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO) to study how taxation and eminent domain might affect housing prices and availability in Hawaii. The study would specifically examine the impact of these measures on addressing the concentration of residential property ownership among owners of vacant/surplus housing (properties not used as primary residences or unoccupied >6 months) and institutional investors. The resolution cites Hawaii's housing crisis, including high prices, significant out-of-state ownership (20% statewide), and institutional investors owning nearly a third of homes on Maui, as context for the study. This resolution does not enact policy but seeks data to inform potential future legislative action.

Requires health insurance policies and contracts issued on or after 1/1/2026 to provide optional coverage for the cost of hearing aids at a minimum $1,500 per hearing aid for each hearing-impaired ear every thirty-six months. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)