Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summarySCR 135 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging all Hawaii state departments to establish secure data-sharing agreements with the Office of Wellness and Resilience. It directs departments to collaborate on sharing deidentified, aggregated data to help the Office integrate information across agencies. This aims to overcome current data silos, enabling a more comprehensive analysis of community needs through the existing Quality of Life and Well-Being Dashboard. The resolution emphasizes protecting resident privacy while supporting evidence-based program development.

Maddy summarySB 328 creates a state income tax credit for farmers who convert dairy farms to hog farms, covering capital infrastructure costs like building modifications. It directly affects dairy farmers planning such conversions by reducing their tax burden for eligible expenses. The credit becomes effective July 1, 3000, as specified in the bill's abstract. This policy change provides a financial incentive for agricultural land-use shifts without altering existing tax rates or creating new regulatory requirements.

Maddy summarySCR 93 is a concurrent resolution (not binding legislation) urging Hawaii's Governor, state agencies, and county mayors to integrate Native Hawaiian knowledge into climate policy. It specifically calls for incorporating *ike kupuna* (traditional ecological knowledge) and the Hawaiian language (*Olelo Hawaii*) into climate adaptation, mitigation, and resiliency planning. The resolution emphasizes that meaningful inclusion of Indigenous knowledge is essential for achieving a "just climate future," referencing Hawaii's constitutional protections for traditional practices and the Pacific-wide Tuurama Ariki Declaration. It directs the state to develop goals that purposefully integrate this knowledge into decision-making processes, without changing existing laws or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHawaii's SCR 56 is a resolution urging the U.S. government to develop a national biodiversity strategy. It highlights Hawaii's status as home to over 550 endangered species (25% of the U.S. total) and its receipt of only 3% of federal conservation funding. The resolution specifically requests the U.S. establish a strategy that sets conservation targets, coordinates federal agencies, and promotes equitable conservation efforts. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but formally requests federal action to address the biodiversity crisis threatening ecosystems, cultural practices, and community well-being.

Maddy summarySCR 141 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to collaborate with the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to access existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) grant programs. It specifically targets funding opportunities that support local farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture groups to advance Hawaii's agricultural sustainability goals, including increasing local food production by 2030. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but formally requests interagency coordination to help agricultural entities secure USDA grants. It references Hawaii's 2050 Sustainability Plan and the Aloha+ Challenge as context for this collaboration.

Requires the Board of Land and Natural Resources to adopt rules to impose user fees that apply solely to nonresidents visiting state parks and trails, as selected by the Board. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Program within the Department of Law Enforcement. Establishes the Agricultural Enforcement Special Fund. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 88) requests Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to create a pilot program testing microbial algae-based soil products on farms. It specifically targets small to medium-sized farms (10-100 acres) with certain crop types, soil health issues, or organic operations. The program requires collaboration with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and mandates a report to the legislature by 2026 detailing findings and potential long-term use of these products. The goal is to reduce reliance on chemical fertilizers, improve soil health, and support sustainable agriculture without imposing new regulations.

Requires that the Hawaiian version of a law be held binding if the law in question was originally drafted in Hawaiian and meets certain criteria. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Makes it an unlawful discriminatory practice for places of public accommodation to deny a person with a disability full and equal enjoyment of, or information related to, their goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations using information and communication technology intended for use by the general public as applicants, participants, customers, clients, or visitors. Establishes exceptions. Clarifies that a facility is considered a place of public accommodation regardless of whether its presence in the State is physical or digital. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)