Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks Hawaii's Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence program for public school students. The proposed program would recognize students who complete advanced coursework and hands-on projects focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience. The working group would include educators, university experts, industry representatives, and student members to develop course requirements, evaluation criteria, and implementation plans. The Department of Education must submit a report with recommendations and any needed legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This bill does not change current laws but initiates a planning process to potentially add a new graduation recognition program in the future.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests three Hawaii state agencies - the Department of Health, Department of Human Services, and Department of Education - to create a coordinated plan to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The plan would explore establishing a statewide FASD coordinator, strategies for accessing federal funding, and methods to improve awareness, training, and support for affected individuals and families. Agencies are asked to submit their findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature by December 15, 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the creation of a working group to study staffing shortages and security challenges at Hawaii state courts. The group would examine how the Department of Law Enforcement has expanded duties without matching increases in Deputy Sheriff positions, leading to reliance on private security contractors. The working group would include leaders from the judiciary, law enforcement, human resources, finance, and the attorney general to evaluate solutions for stabilizing public security staffing and reducing long-term costs of private contracts.

Establishes certain standards for the use of portable solar generation devices and provides certain exemptions from net energy metering and interconnection requirements for devices that meet these standards. Prohibits electric utility companies from requiring customers using portable solar generation devices to obtain approval from the utility, pay any fee or charge, or install additional controls or equipment. Limits the installation of portable solar generation devices to condominiums. Requires the Public Utilities Commission to establish and maintain an online system for registration of portable solar generation devices. Clarifies that any person who owns, controls, operates, or manages a portable solar generation device that is located on the person's property does not qualify as a regulated public utility. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Prohibits minimum off-street parking requirements for new developments or redevelopment projects located in transit-oriented development infrastructure improvement program areas. Effective 4/19/2042. (SD1)

Transfers the rights, powers, functions, and duties of the Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity that relate to agricultural enterprises to the Agribusiness Development Corporation. Requires that the regulatory functions of the Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch remain within the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Establishes within the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs' Division of Financial Institutions, beginning 1/1/2027, a digital asset charter program for licensing, regulating, and overseeing digital asset companies and digital asset business activities. Authorizes companies that participated in the Hawaii Digital Currency Innovation Lab to temporarily continue digital asset business activities without a charter in certain circumstances. Appropriates moneys from the compliance resolution fund. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Requires the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and Department of Land and Natural Resources, in consultation with the Department of Health, to submit to the Legislature a report on the plan for the transfer of powers and duties of Kalaupapa Settlement prior to the Regular Session of 2027. (SD1)

Maddy summarySB 2161 authorizes rodeos and rodeo activities on lands zoned for agricultural use. It specifically defines the term "rodeo and rodeo activities" to clarify what is permitted under this provision. The bill directly affects ranchers, event organizers, and landowners using agricultural-zoned properties for rodeo events. Currently, the bill is under review by the WLA committee, with a public hearing scheduled for February 4, 2026.

Requires each purchasing agency to provide justification for hiring external consultants. Requires each agency to seek approval from the Legislature for consulting contracts exceeding a certain dollar amount. Requires annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Compliance Audit Unit within the Office of the Auditor to conduct regular audits of agency consultant contracts to assess cost-effectiveness and compliance. Establishes exceptions. Requires each chief procurement officer to ensure that inherent government functions are not delegated to a contractor. Effective 1/1/2525. (SD2)