Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests that Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources consider whether private dam owners have liability insurance when assessing dam safety. The bill aims to make insurance coverage a valid mitigation measure that could help relax certain regulatory restrictions on dams. It also asks the department to consider dams safe without requiring specific engineering reports unless there is a probable risk of human life loss, and to avoid classifying dams as high hazard based solely on engineering risk assessments. Additionally, the resolution urges the department to make grant program criteria more transparent and to allow applicants to seek clarification and appeal decisions regarding the Dam Improvement or Removal Grant Program.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to submit a report on its farm-to-school program and local food procurement efforts. The bill requires the department to detail how its purchasing aligns with state regional kitchen investments and to provide data on current local food buying levels across different islands and product categories. It also requests information on barriers preventing local farmers from participating in school meals, the status of federal grant applications, and recommendations for improving procurement processes. The report aims to help the legislature understand how well the state is utilizing public investments to support local agriculture and food security.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Education to submit a detailed report to the Legislature on its farm-to-school program and local food procurement efforts. The report should cover current local food purchasing levels, how school meal operations align with regional kitchen infrastructure, and any barriers preventing small and mid-sized farms from participating. It also asks for information on the Department's use of federal farm-to-school grants and a plan for future grant participation. The goal is to gather data that can help coordinate statewide efforts to strengthen local food supply chains and support local agriculture.

Establishes the Future Career and Technical Education Teacher Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Education to facilitate the recruitment and retention of career and technical education teachers in Hawaii public schools. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds to the Hawaii Technology Development Corporation to assist small businesses with technology enablement and develop project management software to simplify the facilitated application process for small businesses. Requires a report to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes prohibitions on assault rifles, assault shotguns, and .50 caliber firearms. Expands the ban on high-capacity detachable magazines. Allows possession of an assault rifle, assault shotgun, or detachable magazine with a capacity greater than ten rounds when certain conditions are met. Effective 1/1/2026. (CD2)

Amends the conditions and procedures of alternative dispute resolution methods for condominium-related disputes, including the use of evaluative mediation or binding arbitration. Effective 7/1/2050. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 3250 designates March 5 of every year as "Liberty and Justice Day" for public observance. This ceremonial bill does not create new laws, affect specific groups, or alter government programs. It simply establishes an annual date for recognizing liberty and justice themes. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct policy impact beyond the designated observance.

Requires an owner or operator of an underground storage tank or tank system with a confirmed release to meet certain standards for the restoration of the environment. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires a digital application store provider to verify the age of users, require parental consent for users under sixteen years of age to download or purchase, or make a purchase on, a social media platform, and distribute that information to social media platforms. Requires social media platforms to obtain the age information from digital application store providers, determine whether parental consent has been provided for young persons, and take reasonable steps to identify young person users through their algorithms. Effective 1/1/2077. (HD2)