Sen. Brandon Elefante

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General to create a working group focused on technology-facilitated abuse affecting youth and young adults. The group will include representatives from state agencies, domestic violence organizations, and youth commissions to study issues like digital stalking, spyware, and nonconsensual image sharing. The working group will assess current laws, evaluate platform safety practices, and review solutions from other states before submitting recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but establishes a committee to study the problem and propose future policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Department of Law Enforcement to expand an existing Agricultural Enforcement Pilot Program from the islands of Hawaii and Oahu to include Kauai and Maui. The program aims to address rising agricultural crimes such as trespassing, theft, vandalism, and illegal hunting by providing dedicated enforcement resources to protect farmers and food security. It does not create new laws but asks state agencies to extend a current pilot initiative to two additional islands where enforcement gaps currently exist.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to work with several agencies to evaluate how much infrastructure capacity exists around transit-oriented development areas in Honolulu. The assessment will focus specifically on sewer and water systems to determine if they can handle future growth in these neighborhoods. This study aims to identify necessary upgrades and investments before new construction projects proceed in these designated zones. The resolution directs the findings to be shared with multiple city and state officials responsible for planning and development.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to offer free school meals to all students in state schools, regardless of their family's income or current eligibility for federal meal programs. The request specifically targets implementation starting in the 2029-2030 school year, building upon previous expansions that began in 2025-2026. The resolution does not authorize funding or mandate the program but serves as a formal request to the state education department to consider this universal meal provision. It is based on the premise that consistent access to nutritious food supports student health and academic performance.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate concurrent resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Transportation and Department of Law Enforcement to work together to create a state highway police force. It aims to address rising traffic fatalities by combining transportation expertise with law enforcement resources to improve road safety and traffic management. The resolution does not create new laws or authorize funding but serves as a formal request for these agencies to collaborate on establishing a specialized police unit focused on highway incidents.

Maddy summarySB 2010 authorizes law enforcement to impound motor vehicles when specific traffic violations are alleged or committed. It directly affects drivers who commit those violations, allowing authorities to seize vehicles as a consequence. The key provision enables immediate impoundment without requiring a court conviction first. This bill changes enforcement procedures by giving officers this authority upon violation allegations. The bill is currently pending introduction in the legislature.

Beginning 1/1/2027, establishes mandatory handling and storage rules for commercial and residential coconut rhinoceros beetle host material to reduce the spread of CRB within infested zones and to prevent spread into non-infested zones. Establishes penalties. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD1)

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)

Includes weekends and holidays as times where a reasonable warning or request to leave school premises is not required for a person to commit the offense of criminal trespass in the first degree. (SD1)

Requires that whenever there is a difference between the English and Hawaii version of law that is material to its interpretation, priority shall be given to the language that aligns with the intent of the legislature as evidenced by legislative history, context, and purpose. Clarifies that Hawaiian shall not be required for public acts and transactions, but is welcomed. (SD1)