Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 113 (SR 113) urges Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) to submit a detailed report to the legislature on the true costs of producing school meals. The resolution requires the DOE to provide itemized cost breakdowns - including ingredient sourcing, operational expenses, beverage costs, and distribution logistics - for the 2024-2025 and projected 2025-2026/2026-2027 school years. It also mandates data on meal types (full-price, reduced-price, free) and total costs to ensure transparency around proposed price increases (e.g., from $2.50 to $4.75 per meal). The report must be submitted 20 days before Hawaii's 2026 legislative session. This resolution does not change meal prices but seeks factual data to inform future decisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 159) urges Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to work with the Agribusiness Development Corporation to identify and access U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant opportunities. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages coordination between state agencies to help local farmers, ranchers, and agricultural organizations secure USDA grants. The goal is to support Hawaii's agricultural sustainability goals, including increasing local food production by 2030 as outlined in the Hawaii 2050 Sustainability Plan. The resolution is a procedural request, not a binding mandate, directed at state agencies to collaborate on existing federal grant programs.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's state boards and commissions to conduct annual performance reviews of their Executive Directors (or equivalent roles exempt from civil service law). The reviews would assess how well these leaders meet state goals and statutory mandates, though the resolution itself is non-binding. It applies specifically to boards/commissions with exempt leadership positions, not to all state employees. The measure is procedural and does not create new legal requirements.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests Hawaii's Attorney General to compile and provide a list of state lands currently leased to the U.S. or federal agencies, including details on lease terms such as the $1 annual rent for military sites. It directs the Attorney General to also assess whether current leasing practices comply with state constitutional or legal requirements. The resolution is procedural and does not change existing leases or impose new obligations. It focuses solely on gathering information to inform future decisions about state land management.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 115) requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to convene a Geothermal Energy Working Group. The group would evaluate Hawaii's current rules and policies affecting geothermal energy development, particularly to address regulatory barriers and permit challenges. The working group would include state agency leaders, county representatives, industry stakeholders, and community advocates. This resolution does not create new laws but aims to coordinate a review process to support Hawaii's renewable energy goals. It directly affects state agencies, local governments, and geothermal developers by initiating a structured evaluation of the policy environment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 114) urges all Hawaii state departments to establish secure data-sharing agreements with the Office of Wellness and Resilience (OWR). It does not create new laws but requests departments partner with OWR to share deidentified, aggregated data - breaking down current silos - to better analyze community needs through OWR’s existing Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard. The resolution emphasizes protecting resident privacy while enabling cross-departmental data integration for evidence-based programs addressing social determinants of health. It directly affects state departments by asking them to collaborate on data-sharing protocols, as mandated by Act 291 (HRS Chapter 27).

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 174) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to encourage hospitals and healthcare facilities to reduce reliance on disposable surgical equipment and adopt sustainable practices, following models from California and Japan. It asks the Department to develop guidelines, promote partnerships with sterilization companies, and submit a 2026 report analyzing the feasibility, cost savings, and environmental benefits of such changes. The resolution does not mandate specific actions but seeks to spur voluntary adoption of reuse strategies to lower medical waste and costs.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 157 requests the Department of Agriculture to designate Kunia, Leilehua Plateau, and Poamoho as the Central Oahu Agricultural Corridor. It also asks the department to create a prioritized list of agricultural infrastructure projects (like roads and water systems) based on factors including cost, projected production increases, and land use plans. The resolution requires the department to submit a report with this list and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution directly affects farmers and landowners in the designated corridor areas by guiding future infrastructure investments to support Hawaii's goal of increasing local food production.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 173) requests the University of Hawaii Community Colleges to create a list of bachelor's degree programs that match regional job opportunities in key industries like tourism, health care, and renewable energy. It directs the colleges to collaborate with local employers and use labor market data to align programs with each region's specific economic needs. The resolution is non-binding and focuses on improving workforce education alignment, not creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 172) requests the University of Hawaii System to form a working group to study whether Windward Community College can develop a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. The working group must assess feasibility, including accreditation requirements, needed facilities, faculty, funding sources, and partnerships with mainland veterinary schools. It directly addresses Hawaii’s critical shortage of veterinarians - particularly for rural and agricultural areas - by exploring a local pathway to train future vets. The resolution does not create the program but requires a report by late 2025 to inform future legislative action.