Sen. Karl Rhoads

Maddy summaryHawaii's Senate Resolution 81 (SR 81) ratifies a 1924 proposed constitutional amendment (House Joint Resolution 184) that would grant Congress authority to regulate or ban labor for people under 18. This resolution does not create new child labor laws but seeks to formally approve an amendment that has remained pending since 1924, after only 28 states initially ratified it. If fully ratified by 38 states (requiring 10 more approvals), it would enable future federal legislation on child labor, though current regulations are already established under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The resolution is procedural and does not alter existing protections or requirements.

Protects individuals who make claims of sexual misconduct from defamation lawsuits unless the claims were proven to be made with malice. Effective 4/23/2057. (SD1)

Maddy summaryHawaii's SCR 114 is a concurrent resolution requesting the Department of Education, with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how schools manage heat exposure during outdoor activities. The study must examine current practices, assess using wet-bulb globe temperature as a heat stress measurement standard, and evaluate if existing protocols protect students from heat-related illnesses. If the study finds current practices insufficient, it requires developing statewide guidelines covering hydration, staff training for heat illness symptoms, accommodations for students with medical conditions, and acclimatization protocols for outdoor activities like sports and recess. The resolution mandates the study report to be submitted to the Legislature by early 2026, with any proposed guidelines to follow by 2027. This directly affects all public and charter schools in Hawaii, focusing on student health during outdoor school activities.

Proposes an amendment to article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii to protect a person's right to obtain contraceptives and engage in contraception. (SD1)

Proposes a constitutional amendment to specify that reapportionment shall be based on the resident population, as counted in the decennial United States census for the respective reapportionment year, rather than the permanent resident population. (SD1)

Requires sellers or providers of emotional support animals, as well as those issuing verifications of a disability related need for an emotional support animal, to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Requires persons or businesses that sell or provide certificates, vests, or identification tags that identify an animal as an emotional support animal to provide written notice to the buyer or recipient containing certain information. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

Requires property insurers to offer discounts on a condominium association's annual insurance premium if the association adopts specific risk mitigation upgrades or develops comprehensive disaster response plans. Requires property insurers of condominiums to base premium increases on actuarial justifications that reflect actual risk reduction resulting from upgraded fire safety improvements installed in conjunction with a building fire and life safety evaluation. Requires property insurers of condominiums to justify premium increases above ten per cent. Requires property insurers of condominiums to publicly report premium increases each year. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summarySB 878 extends the expiration date of Hawaii's State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly residents) from its current deadline to June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects low-income seniors who rely on the program to afford housing by ensuring continued funding availability. The key provision is simply delaying the program's sunset date, maintaining current housing assistance without altering eligibility or benefit amounts. The measure passed committee recommendation with four supportive votes in February 2025.

Prohibits the sale of tickets at higher price than the original price charged by the primary venue ticket provider for events held in the State. Repeals provisions relating to ticket brokers. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Beginning 7/1/2027, allows chiropractic students enrolled in a qualified chiropractic college to engage in clinical practice as part of their college instruction if directly supervised by a qualified licensed chiropractor. Requires the Hawaii Board of Chiropractic to adopt rules. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)