Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz

Maddy summarySR 154 is a Senate Resolution requesting the Office of the Auditor to conduct a performance audit of the University of Hawaii Foundation. The resolution specifically asks the Auditor to evaluate how the Foundation manages over 7,000 donor gift accounts and $660 million in fundraising funds (from the "For UH For Hawaii" campaign) to ensure effective use of resources supporting University of Hawaii students and faculty. This procedural resolution does not change laws but directs an external review of the Foundation’s fund management practices. The audit would assess transparency and efficiency in handling donations dedicated to specific university programs and projects.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 155 requests the State Auditor to conduct a management and performance audit of the University of Hawaii's Office of the Vice President for Academic Strategy. The audit will examine how the office manages workforce pipelines from pre-school through college, aligns academic programs with Hawaii's job market needs, coordinates transfer agreements between universities and community colleges, and measures program success through performance metrics. This resolution does not create new laws but directs the Auditor to assess existing practices and provide recommendations for improvement. The findings must be reported to the Legislature by late 2025.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 160 requests the Office of the Auditor to conduct a financial and operational audit of the University of Hawaii at Manoa Athletics Department. This audit is prompted by a reported $2.1 million deficit in the department's FY2024 budget, concerns about the lack of a sustainable funding plan, and the absence of a master plan for operations. The resolution aims to evaluate whether the department manages funds responsibly and effectively supports student athletes across sports programs. As a procedural resolution, it does not change laws but formally asks for an independent review to improve financial oversight.

Part I: Renames the Department of Agriculture to the "Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity". Renames the Board of Agriculture to the "Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity" and amends the composition of the Board. Part II: Establishes and appropriates funds for a Deputy Director of Biosecurity. Part III: Changes references to the plant and animal declaration form to the "biosecurity form". Part IV: Authorizes and specifies conditions under which the Department may declare a biosecurity emergency, during which the Department and Governor may take certain actions to prevent the establishment or spread of pests and prohibited or restricted organisms. Authorizes the Chairperson of the Board to quarantine an area under certain conditions. Broadens the objectives and general actions of the Biosecurity Program. Part V: Requires the Department to establish and regularly update an invasive species dashboard. Authorizes pest management plans to address, contain, or eradicate pests. Part VI: Appropriates funds for positions for the Department. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Permits the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to enter into contracts with eligible employers or registered apprenticeship programs in the private sector to provide on-the-job training to eligible interns. Provides that the State shall be the responsible employer for purposes of workers' compensation coverage for students or recent graduates in the on-the-job-training work experience program, subject to certain limitations. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a two-year coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication pilot program in certain areas under the Department of Land and Natural Resources that incentivizes community members to collect and submit the coconut rhinoceros beetle and its larvae for compensation. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires at least fifty per cent of treatment works effluent to be R-1 recycled water by January 1, 2045. Requires each county to report to the Department of Health by 1/1/2027 on the feasibility of recycling treatment works effluent that meets certain standards. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summaryHawaii's Senate Resolution 158 requests Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention to propose specific amendments. The resolution asks for amendments focused on imposing fiscal restraints on the federal government, limiting federal power and jurisdiction, and establishing term limits for federal officials. It includes conditions that the convention must not consider changes to the Bill of Rights, states must vote one-per-state, and Congress can only perform a ministerial duty to set a time and place for the convention. This is a procedural resolution seeking Congress's action, not a law, and Hawaii states it will continue this application until two-thirds of states join the request.

Maddy summaryHawaii's SCR 140 is a state resolution urging Congress to call an Article V constitutional convention to propose specific amendments. It requests amendments focused on imposing fiscal limits on the federal government, reducing federal power and jurisdiction, and limiting terms for federal officials and Congress members. The resolution specifies strict conditions: the convention must exclude any changes to the Bill of Rights, states must vote one per state, Congress can only call the convention if 34 states apply, and Hawaii reserves the right to recall its delegates. This is a procedural request from Hawaii's legislature, not a direct policy change, seeking to initiate a process that requires broad state support to proceed.

Allows a retirant to be employed without reenrollment in the Employees' Retirement System and without loss or interruption of benefits if the retirant is employed in a position identified for succession planning purposes. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)