Sen. Glenn Wakai

Maddy summarySCR 54 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Desalination Planning Task Force to study whether desalination (converting seawater to fresh water) could feasibly meet the state's large-scale water needs. The task force, composed of state and county water officials, health representatives, and cultural advisors, will assess water demand, environmental impacts of desalination plants, cultural site protections, and how it might support water resilience after events like the Red Hill contamination. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by 2026, including potential policy changes. This resolution does not enact new law but directs a study to inform future water management decisions.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, to assess the viability of housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Authorizes the Division of Animal Industry of the Department of Agriculture to adopt, amend, and repeal rules to develop an assessment and approval process to import and move aquatic livestock in the State. Requires the Aquaculture Program to develop a biological aquatic risk-based framework and biocontainment standards for the aquatic livestock assessment and approval process. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 602 allows the Hawaii Public Housing Authority (HPHA) to close any parcels of land it owns to public access. This measure directly affects the HPHA by expanding its authority over its properties, and indirectly affects the public who might use or access these areas. If the HPHA designates an area as closed, the bill requires specific signage to be posted to inform the public.

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)

Requires gifts or grants from a private source deposited into the Stadium Development Special Fund to be used only for infrastructure related to the stadium and costs associated with the development of the stadium. Requires any unexpended and unencumbered funds in the Stadium Development Special Fund to immediately lapse to the general fund if the NASED project is terminated. Appropriates funds out of the Stadium Development Special Fund with certain conditions. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySCR 58 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's counties to install accessible playground equipment, including wheelchair-accessible swings, in all county park playgrounds and to create maintenance plans. It requires equipment to meet ADA standards and mandates maintenance plans with six key components: regular inspections, preventive upkeep, cleaning schedules, accessibility checks, emergency repair protocols, and community engagement. The resolution directly affects all counties managing public playgrounds and aims to improve access for children with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities. It does not create new law but requests counties adopt these standards and asks state agencies to help develop cost and implementation recommendations.

Maddy summarySCR 117 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to conduct a safety inventory of school bus stops on Hawaii Island. It directs this collaboration to assess specific safety factors - including sidewalks, lighting, traffic patterns, and hazards - at stops used by students traveling to school, and to develop improvement strategies. The resolution requires a report with prioritized safety recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by January 2026. This affects Hawaii Island students, particularly those in rural or underserved areas relying on school transportation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 20) requests Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to reevaluate its policies on in-person contact visitation at state correctional facilities. Currently, some facilities like Halawa, Maui Community, and Oahu Community Correctional Centers require visitors to be separated by barriers (e.g., glass), which the resolution states does not effectively prevent contraband. The resolution urges the department to identify alternative policies allowing direct contact visits, citing research showing such visits reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation. It specifically aims to help incarcerated individuals maintain connections with family - especially parents with minor children - to improve successful reintegration into society. The resolution is non-binding but directs the department to prioritize this change.

Maddy summaryThis is a concurrent resolution (not a bill), passed by Hawaii's Senate and House, expressing support for Taiwan's international engagement. It endorses Taiwan's participation as an observer in four international organizations: the World Health Organization (WHO), International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The resolution also supports U.S.-Taiwan trade negotiations under the 21st Century Trade Initiative and commemorates Hawaii's 32-year sister-state relationship with Taiwan, including mutual cooperation in tourism, education, and disaster response (like Taiwan's $500,000 aid after the 2023 Maui wildfires). The resolution urges U.S. officials to advance these positions and is addressed to the President, Congress, and U.S. Secretary of State.