Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 216) urges Hawaii's Department of Human Services to increase reimbursement rates paid to primary care physicians for services provided to Med-Quest recipients (Hawaii's Medicaid program). It highlights that current reimbursement rates are low, lack cost-of-living adjustments or overhead coverage, and do not account for physician experience, making it financially difficult for providers to maintain practices serving Medicaid patients. The resolution notes a decline in private practice physicians (from 75% to 10% over ten years) and aims to prevent further withdrawal of primary care access for Med-Quest enrollees. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally requests the department consider this adjustment.
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Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 192) urges Hawaii counties to explore revenue from transit-based advertising - like ads on buses or trains - before raising mass transit fares. It directly affects counties operating public transit (Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu) by encouraging them to seek alternative funding instead of increasing fares for riders. The resolution does not require counties to adopt advertising, but suggests they could charge reasonable fees for ads while setting limits on ad size, content, and placement. As a non-binding resolution, it aims to help keep transit affordable without mandating specific actions.
Maddy summarySCR 217 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii counties to explore revenue from transit advertising - like ads on buses or trains - before raising mass transit fares. It directs counties to consider this alternative funding source to avoid increasing costs for riders, particularly given Hawaii's high cost of living. The resolution also recommends counties set reasonable limits on ad size, content, and placement if they adopt this approach. It applies to all counties operating mass transit systems and is addressed to county officials and transit agencies.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 190) requests the Hawaii Department of Education to implement a pilot program at James Campbell High School. The program would train students to become veterinary technicians while using animal-assisted therapy to support students facing emotional or behavioral challenges. Key provisions include mandatory training (e.g., from Hawaii Humane Society), strict supervision, safety protocols, and liability coverage for all participants. The resolution does not mandate the program but seeks to establish it as a test model that could expand to other schools if successful.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 57) requests Hawaii's Department of Human Services and Department of Health to create an incentive program for Community Care Foster Family Homes (CCFFHs). The program would encourage CCFFHs - homes certified to provide in-home care for individuals needing nursing-level support - to accept people with intellectual or developmental disabilities who qualify for the state's Medicaid I/DD waiver program. It aims to address a shortage of CCFFHs serving this population by offering financial or other incentives. The resolution is a non-binding request, not a law, directing the departments to develop this program.
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 74 is a concurrent resolution requesting Hawaii's Departments of Human Services and Health to create an incentive program for Community Care Foster Family Homes (CCFFHs). It aims to encourage existing CCFFHs - licensed homes providing 24-hour care for individuals needing nursing-level support - to accept more residents eligible for the state's Medicaid program for intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD waiver). The resolution does not create new law but asks the departments to design financial or other incentives to increase CCFFH capacity for these specific Medicaid waiver participants. This directly affects CCFFH providers and individuals seeking community-based care instead of institutional settings.
Establishes a working group within the Office of the Governor for administrative purposes to ascertain the State's available water resources and water system source capacity and to streamline well permit approval processes to further plan for the development of affordable housing. Requires the working group to inventory all available water resources statewide and identify sources of aquifer replenishment in relation to affordable housing development. Requires an interim and final report to the Legislature. (SD2)
Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySCR 46 is a resolution requesting the state Auditor to conduct management and financial audits of Medicaid health care insurance contractors (managed care organizations) every two years, with the first audit due by January 2026. The audits will evaluate whether contractors use public funds properly, comply with state and federal rules, and provide quality care to Medicaid beneficiaries. Contractors must cooperate by providing records, and the Auditor must submit reports to the Governor, Legislature, and Department of Human Services. This follows years of recommendations to improve oversight, as the Auditor has never conducted such audits despite having legal authority since 1975.