Sen. Brandon Elefante

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 34) urges Hawaii's Department of Education and Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) to create a high school curriculum for a Youth Civil Defense Corps. It would train students to assist in emergency response through Hawaii's State Emergency Response Team Program during disasters. The resolution is non-binding and requests the agencies develop this program to support statewide emergency preparedness. It directly affects high school students and Hawaii's emergency management coordination.

Maddy summarySCR 52 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) to jointly develop a high school training program for a Youth Civil Defense Corps. The resolution proposes creating a curriculum to train high school students in emergency response skills, enabling them to participate in the State Emergency Response Team Program during disasters. It does not create new laws or funding but requests DOE and HI-EMA to collaborate on implementing this student-focused emergency preparedness initiative. The resolution directly affects high school students and state emergency management coordination.

Maddy summarySCR 29 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Auditor assess the social and financial effects of mandatory health insurance coverage for biomarker testing. It directly affects patients with conditions like cancer, Alzheimer's, or heart disease who rely on biomarker tests for diagnosis and treatment. The resolution asks for a new assessment because, despite prior reports finding no impacts (as insurers claimed existing coverage already met requirements), patients still face delays or denials of coverage for these tests. The Auditor will evaluate how mandatory coverage would affect access, costs, and outcomes for patients seeking medically necessary biomarker testing.

Establishes a two-year Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse Working Group within the Hawaii State Energy Office. Requires the working group to examine how to maximize the recycling and reuse of electric vehicle batteries and recommend electric vehicle battery management practices. Requires a report to the Legislature. (SD1)

Maddy summarySCR 19 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education to make public school recreational facilities (like pools, gyms, and fields) available to the public during non-peak hours and non-school days. It directly affects residents, particularly in low-income and rural communities who face barriers to accessing recreational amenities. The resolution builds on existing rules requiring school facility access but seeks to expand it to unrestricted use during specified times, moving beyond the current requirement for a 10-day online application. This aims to address documented inequities in recreational access, as noted in the resolution's supporting statements.

Maddy summarySB 878 extends the expiration date of Hawaii's State Rent Supplement Program for Kupuna (elderly residents) from its current deadline to June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects low-income seniors who rely on the program to afford housing by ensuring continued funding availability. The key provision is simply delaying the program's sunset date, maintaining current housing assistance without altering eligibility or benefit amounts. The measure passed committee recommendation with four supportive votes in February 2025.

Maddy summarySCR 28 is a procedural resolution requesting the Hawaii Auditor to assess the social and financial impacts of mandatory health insurance coverage for colorectal cancer screenings, as proposed in House Bill 556 (2025). It does not create new policy but requires a report under Hawaii Revised Statutes §23-51 before any such mandate could be enacted. The assessment will evaluate costs, access, and potential benefits for residents, particularly focusing on colorectal cancer screening coverage. This step is mandated by state law prior to considering legislation that would require insurers to cover specific preventive services.

Maddy summarySCR 25 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the State Health Planning and Development Agency and Department of Health to hold public meetings for all certificate of need applications involving proposed special treatment facilities in neighborhoods with community associations. It does not create new law but asks the agency to require public input during the review process for these specific healthcare facility proposals. The resolution also requests the agency adopt rules requiring applicants to appear before neighborhood boards as part of their application. This applies only to facilities seeking approval under the administrative review process (typically smaller projects), not the standard review process which already includes public meetings.

Requires insurers to provide advance written notice to policyholders and the Insurance Commissioner, with reasonable explanations and primary factors, of any policy cancellation, non-renewal, or proposed premium increase, if, upon renewal, premiums are scheduled to increase more than 10 per cent. Requires insurers that provide property insurance to file rate schedules and underlying criteria with the Insurance Commissioner. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to conduct periodic reviews of insurance rates and submit annual reports to the Legislature. Requires the Insurance Commissioner to establish a Public Reporting and Dispute Resolution Program to handle complaints and appeals regarding premium increases. Requires insurers to provide premium discounts or credits to policyholders that implement disaster risk mitigation measures. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summarySB 1648 would require utilities to provide compensation to customers following power outages. It directly affects residential and commercial utility customers who experience service interruptions. The bill establishes specific requirements for when and how compensation is calculated and paid, though details like payment amounts aren't specified in the abstract. Currently pending committee review (CPN), the bill would take effect on July 1, 2050, if passed.