Sen. Brandon Elefante

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution encourages developers in Hawaii to adopt net zero water strategies when building or renovating housing projects. The bill promotes the use of water-saving technologies, on-site wastewater treatment, and alternative water sources to reduce reliance on the state's finite freshwater supply. By minimizing water consumption and pollution runoff, the resolution aims to help preserve the quantity and quality of natural water resources like aquifers. It does not impose legal requirements but serves as a formal recommendation to the Governor and housing agencies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Health to form a working group to study how to improve language assistance services for patients who do not speak English well. The group will include healthcare providers, insurers, and community organizations to examine current barriers and the use of family members as interpreters. After reviewing the situation, the working group must submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2025, potentially including new laws to ensure equitable care.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation to create a ten-year plan to build 100,000 homes to address the state's housing shortage. The requested plan must outline strategies to overcome specific barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, restrictive zoning rules, complicated regulations, community opposition, and high construction costs. The resolution directs the agency to submit this plan to its board chairperson and executive director, serving as a formal request rather than a law that mandates immediate action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution officially recognizes the day of the second new moon after the winter solstice as the Lunar New Year in Hawaii. The bill aims to honor the state's diverse cultural heritage and acknowledges the significant contributions of the Asian community, which includes over 37 percent of the population. While the resolution formally identifies the date of the celebration, it explicitly states that the Lunar New Year will not be treated as a state holiday or a day off for government employees.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation that would expand the National Flood Insurance Program to cover damage caused by lava flows. The bill directly affects residents in lava zones on Hawaii Island who currently face limited insurance options and high premiums following the withdrawal of major private insurers from the market. By proposing this expansion, the resolution aims to provide a federal safety net for property owners in these specific areas, similar to how the program currently assists those in flood-prone regions. The measure does not create new insurance coverage itself but instead asks federal lawmakers to consider adding lava risk to the existing federal insurance framework.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution encourages the United States Navy to remove invasive octocoral and other non-native species from the waters of Pearl Harbor. The bill highlights that these soft corals spread rapidly, damaging local reef ecosystems and reducing fish diversity in areas like West, Middle, and East Lochs. It urges the Navy, which manages the harbor, to allocate resources for an eradication program and directs a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of the Navy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to collaborate with the City and County of Honolulu on creating alternative emergency access routes for Pacific Palisades. The bill highlights that the area currently relies on a single, narrow road with a steep hairpin turn, which poses significant risks during natural disasters like wildfires or flash floods. It requests that the transportation department develop a plan with a completion timeline and submit it to the legislature before the start of the 2025 session. This measure aims to improve public safety by ensuring multiple evacuation options are available for the community.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Women's Corrections Implementation Commission to create a plan that reduces the number of women held at the Women's Community Correctional Center by 25% over the next five years. The request is based on findings that most incarcerated women have non-violent offenses and that current prison conditions often re-traumatize them. To achieve this goal, the commission must collaborate with various state agencies and community organizations to develop strategies for diversion and rehabilitation. The commission is required to submit an initial report with recommendations by November 2024 and provide updates annually through 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the State of Hawaii, the City and County of Honolulu, and the United States military to coordinate efforts to address illegal dumping in Waipahu and surrounding communities like Ewa, Pearl City, and Aiea. The bill highlights concerns about environmental hazards, public health risks, and the negative impact on schools and local pride caused by dumped waste, such as shopping carts blocking drainage ditches. It does not create new laws or funding but serves to formally request cooperation among these agencies to clean up polluted areas and improve waste management practices. Copies of the resolution are to be sent to relevant government officials and military commanders to ensure the issue receives attention.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Law Enforcement to create a working group to study how to stop hikers from entering closed trails and to reduce the high costs of search and rescue operations. The proposed group would include officials from law enforcement, the judiciary, and local police and fire departments to examine current fines and compare them with penalty systems used in other states. Their task is to develop recommendations for new policies or fees that hold hikers accountable for ignoring safety warnings, with a final report due to the Legislature before the 2025 session begins.