Sen. Henry Aquino

Maddy summarySB 436 limits the State Fire Marshal to serving no more than three terms in office. This bill directly affects the individual holding the State Fire Marshal position by imposing a term limit. The key provision states that no person may serve as State Fire Marshal for more than three terms, effective July 1, 2050. The bill does not alter current officeholders' terms but sets a future restriction for all subsequent appointments.

Prohibits persons from operating a medical cannabis dispensary or cultivating cannabis without a license from the Department of Health. Prohibits individuals from providing certain services to individuals engaging in unlicensed cannabis operations. Requires the Department of Health to send a cease and desist notice to violators. Establishes criminal penalties. Establishes an affirmative defense for, and a conclusive basis for certain violations. Establishes exceptions. Establishes a cannabis cultivator license to authorize the cultivation and distribution of cannabis plants. Requires the Department of Health to only issue one cannabis cultivator license for each person. Establishes limits on: (1) the number of cannabis cultivator licenses the Department of Health may issue; (2) the maximum size of plant canopy for indoor and outdoor cultivations for each cannabis cultivator license; and (3) the maximum plant count of mature cannabis plants for each cannabis cultivator license. Authorizes expenditures from the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund to fund programs for the mitigation and abatement of nuisances relating to chapter 329D, HRS. Appropriates funds out of the Medical Cannabis Registry and Regulation Special Fund for the Department of Attorney General to enforce, and mitigate nuisances relating to, chapter 329D, HRS. Effective 12/31/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 195) urges the Mayor of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, and Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Office to collaborate with local businesses and community partners to implement Safe and Sound programs in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and Waianae. It references the successful Waikiki Safe and Sound program, which reduced drug/alcohol-related crimes by 48%, robberies by 19%, burglaries by 30%, and property damage by 22% since 2022, as a proven model for these new initiatives. The resolution does not create new laws but formally requests coordination to address crime in these West Oahu areas.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 185) requests Hawaii's Department of Education to identify public schools with outdated equipment and replace it with new, modernized equipment. It directly affects all 258 public schools in Hawaii's statewide district, serving 152,270 students. The resolution does not mandate funding or set timelines but asks the Department to assess and upgrade equipment to meet current needs. It is a procedural request addressed to the Department of Education, not a binding law. The resolution specifically cites the need for equipment modernization to support teachers, staff, and students, without detailing specific equipment types.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Mayor of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, and Prosecuting Attorney's Office to collaborate with local businesses and community partners to implement Safe and Sound crime-reduction programs in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and Waianae. It references the successful Waikiki Safe and Sound program (which reduced drug/alcohol crimes by 48% and other crimes since 2022) as a model for replication. The resolution does not create new law but recommends expanding this collaborative approach to the specified West Oahu areas to address crime.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Education to identify public schools with aging equipment and replace it with modern equipment. It applies to all 258 public schools serving over 152,000 students statewide. The resolution directs the Department to prioritize equipment upgrades but does not allocate new funding. As a non-binding request, it asks the Department to act on existing resources.

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.

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 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 summaryHawaii's Senate Resolution 95 requests the Department of Education, with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how schools manage heat exposure during outdoor activities to protect students. The study would assess current practices, evaluate using wet-bulb globe temperature measurements (a standard heat stress metric), and determine if existing guidelines are sufficient. If gaps are found, the study would develop specific guidelines requiring hydration protocols, staff training on heat illness, accommodations for students with medical conditions, and acclimatization plans for outdoor activities. These guidelines would apply to all public and charter schools across Hawaii for activities like sports, recess, and band practice. The resolution mandates a final report to the Legislature by early 2026.