Requires that lands within the agricultural district with class B or C soils that have solar or wind energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Department of Agriculture that the lands are also used for a farming operation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)
Provides that leaders of nonprofit organizations shall not be fingerprinted when applying for a liquor license in counties with a population of less than five hundred thousand. (SD2)
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.
Prohibits landfill units on land in an agricultural district with class A soils. Beginning 7/1/2025, narrows the prohibition on constructing, modifying, or expanding waste or disposal facilities within a one-half mile buffer zone of residential, school, or hospital property lines to apply specifically to landfill units or components of landfill units. Beginning 7/1/2025, prohibits the construction, modification, or expansion of a landfill unit, or any component of a landfill unit, inland of an underground injection control line in a county with a population greater than five hundred thousand, with certain exemptions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)
Maddy summaryThis resolution requests the State Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation. The foundation manages over 7,000 donor accounts and handles more than $660 million in funds raised for the University of Hawaii System. The audit aims to evaluate how effectively the foundation uses these funds to support students and faculty, ensuring transparency and accountability in its management.
Maddy summarySCR 205 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to form a Community Noise Working Group. The group must include the Director of Health (as chair), state legislators, Honolulu City Council representatives, law enforcement officials, and a noise expert. The Working Group will discuss policies and potential legislation to address noise pollution from sources like concerts in residential areas, which currently lack permitting requirements. The group must submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by 2026. This resolution directly affects community members exposed to excessive noise and the Department of Health, which is tasked with organizing the group.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 165) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to create a Community Noise Working Group to study noise pollution impacts. The group, including health officials, legislators, city representatives, and noise experts, will discuss policies and potential legislation targeting noise sources like unpermitted concerts in residential areas. The Working Group must submit findings and recommendations - including possible new laws - to the Legislature by December 2026. This resolution directly affects the Department of Health (which must convene the group) and Hawaii residents exposed to noise pollution, which the resolution cites as causing health issues like hearing loss and stress. It does not enact new laws but initiates a review process.
Maddy summarySenate Resolution 113 (SR 113) urges Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) to submit a detailed report to the legislature on the true costs of producing school meals. The resolution requires the DOE to provide itemized cost breakdowns - including ingredient sourcing, operational expenses, beverage costs, and distribution logistics - for the 2024-2025 and projected 2025-2026/2026-2027 school years. It also mandates data on meal types (full-price, reduced-price, free) and total costs to ensure transparency around proposed price increases (e.g., from $2.50 to $4.75 per meal). The report must be submitted 20 days before Hawaii's 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not change meal prices but seeks factual data to inform future decisions.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 159) urges Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to work with the Agribusiness Development Corporation to identify and access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant opportunities. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages coordination between state agencies to help local farmers, ranchers, and agricultural organizations secure USDA grants. The goal is to support Hawaii's agricultural sustainability goals, including increasing local food production by 2030 as outlined in the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan. The resolution is a procedural request, not a binding mandate, directed at state agencies to collaborate on existing federal grant programs.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's state boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors (or equivalent roles exempt from civil service law). The reviews would assess how well these leaders meet state goals and statutory mandates, though the resolution itself is non-binding. It applies specifically to boards/commissions with exempt leadership positions, not to all state employees. The measure is procedural and does not create new legal requirements.
