Sen. Brandon Elefante

Maddy summarySCR 69 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Health Planning and Development Agency to convene a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Working Group. The group will evaluate policies to lower drug costs for patients and improve healthcare access, focusing on four key areas: which state agency should oversee PBMs, required reporting, fair pharmacy audit procedures, and protections against under-reimbursed medications. The working group will include representatives from insurance, pharmacy associations, state agencies, and pharmacy benefit managers. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026, but the resolution itself does not enact new laws.

Maddy summarySCR 22 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) to work with county emergency agencies to create outreach programs specifically for kupuna (Hawaiian elders aged 65+). It directly affects Hawaii's elderly population, which makes up over 19% of the state's residents and faces higher vulnerability during disasters due to health limitations and limited access to technology. The resolution asks HEMA to collaborate with city and county emergency management agencies to develop initiatives that inform kupuna about emergency preparedness. This is a procedural request, not a law, focused on improving communication and safety resources for an at-risk group.

Maddy summarySCR 142 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to audit the University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics Department's financial management. It specifically directs the audit to assess whether the department's spending aligns with its policies and to evaluate its Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) program. The resolution cites a $2.1 million deficit in the department's 2024 finances and notes the lack of a master plan or sustainable funding strategy. This audit request directly affects the UH Manoa Athletics Department and its oversight.

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)

Maddy summarySCR 118 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Health to form a working group to study whether business owners could legally use filtered rainwater collected through water catchment systems for business purposes. Currently, state law only permits this water use for personal household needs, not commercial activities. The working group - comprising health officials, legislators, county water departments, and public representatives - will assess feasibility, safety testing protocols, plumbing code compliance, and potential state support for businesses. It will submit recommendations, including possible legislation, to the 2027 Legislature. This resolution does not change existing law but initiates a review of expanding water catchment use for business operations.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 128) requests the Hawaii Attorney General to compile and provide a list of all state lands currently leased to the U.S. government or federal agencies. It also asks the Attorney General to assess whether current leases - particularly those at nominal rates like $1 per acre - violate state constitutional or legal requirements for land stewardship. The resolution does not change lease terms but seeks transparency and a legal review of federal land leasing practices. It is a procedural request focused on gathering information, not implementing new policy.

Maddy summarySCR 21 is a concurrent resolution (not a law) requesting Hawaii's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to provide separate mental health counseling services for correctional facility staff. It directly affects correctional staff members, who face mental health risks from trauma exposure in their work. The resolution asks the department to use its operating funds to make these staff-specific services available - distinct from inmate mental health resources - potentially by hiring additional counselors. It does not mandate the action but urges the department to prioritize staff mental health through this request.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 204) requests the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement to provide detailed information about how the state handles hazardous materials. Specifically, it asks for descriptions of disposal methods (like controlled explosions or incineration), the permitting process for such activities, and safety/environmental protocols used during disposal, detonation, or destruction of explosives and fireworks. The resolution aims to address community concerns about noise, air quality, and safety risks near residential areas. It does not change laws but seeks transparency from the Department regarding current practices.

Maddy summarySCR 143 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's state boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors or equivalent staff members (who are exempt from standard civil service hiring rules). It directs these entities to evaluate whether such leaders are meeting state goals and statutory requirements. The resolution does not create new laws but formally recommends this practice to improve accountability. It applies to all boards/commissions with exempt executive positions, as specified in Hawaii's governance structure.

Maddy summarySCR 65 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Hawaii Stadium Authority to finalize a contract for constructing the new Aloha Stadium and to advance work on the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED). It does not create new law but formally encourages the Authority to complete these steps, referencing the project's completion of environmental reviews and selection of a preferred developer. The resolution highlights the project’s planned features: a new 25,000-seat stadium, mixed-use development (housing, retail, hotels), and alignment with economic and community benefits. It emphasizes the project’s readiness for construction after years of planning, environmental studies, and community engagement. The resolution has no legal effect but serves as a legislative recommendation to accelerate the stadium and district development.