Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summarySCR 203 is a concurrent resolution requesting the University of Hawaii to study the feasibility of establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and identify requirements for securing federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. It directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate potential benefits for Hawaii residents (especially considering the state's large Asian American and Pacific Islander population), and outline steps to meet federal grant criteria. The resolution requires the university to submit a report by December 31, 2025, including a phased plan with timelines for feasibility assessment and potential center development. This is a non-binding request focused on exploration, not policy implementation.

Maddy summarySCR 209 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HEMA) to address tree-related obstructions on evacuation routes. It directs HEMA to identify large trees that could block evacuation paths, trim or remove them, conduct public risk assessments for high-risk trees, implement urban forestry best practices, and strengthen community disaster preparedness education. This resolution does not create new law but formally requests specific actions from HEMA to improve evacuation route safety and community resilience. It directly affects HEMA's operational procedures and communities relying on designated evacuation routes.

Maddy summarySCR 84 is a non-binding resolution urging Maui County, in collaboration with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Defense, to conduct real-time wildfire and disaster drills involving the Maui community. It specifically calls for these drills to include community members in planning, execution, and post-drill evaluations to improve emergency response preparedness. The resolution emphasizes community participation as a key mechanism to enhance public awareness, evacuation familiarity, and feedback for refining emergency protocols, based on examples from other communities.

Maddy summarySCR 33 is a resolution requesting the Tax Review Commission to study how to fund and implement Hawaii's Long-Term Care Financing Program, which was established by law in 2002 but lacks a defined funding mechanism. The Commission must examine specific options like a revised tax credit for long-term care insurance (similar to a 2003 proposal) and review past reports, then submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution does not create new law but directs the Commission to analyze financing options for a program intended to provide affordable long-term care for all eligible residents, regardless of income. It affects the Tax Review Commission (tasked with the study) and the Legislature (which will receive the report to inform future decisions).

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 222) requests Hawaii's Office of Consumer Protection to form a task force to study payment options at towing companies. It directly affects vehicle owners who struggle to pay for towing services due to limited payment methods (like lack of credit/debit card acceptance or ATMs) and towing companies that may not offer convenient options. The task force will assess these issues, include relevant stakeholders, and submit a report with findings and potential recommendations to the legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not change current law but seeks to identify problems and possible solutions regarding towing payment accessibility.

Maddy summarySCR 75 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting Maui County to hire one full-time archaeologist to guide historic preservation efforts during Lahaina's rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. The resolution specifically addresses the absence of archaeological oversight in current rebuilding plans and asks the County to employ this role to preserve cultural landmarks and comply with preservation mandates. The archaeologist would collaborate with rebuilding entities to protect Lahaina’s irreplaceable heritage sites, including centuries-old structures destroyed in the fires. This resolution is a non-binding request, not a law, directed solely at Maui County’s planning process.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 69 requests the Hawaii Department of Health to convene an Aeromedical Services Working Group by June 30, 2026. The working group, including state and county emergency management officials, healthcare associations, and aeromedical service providers, must study emergency air medical service needs across all counties and develop recommendations for improving service stability, funding, and protocols. It will submit a report to the Legislature by January 2026, with the goal of addressing gaps in rural access to critical aeromedical care. This resolution does not create new law but directs a collaborative review of existing challenges in Hawaii's air ambulance system.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 98 urges Hawaii's Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to assess safety at school bus stops on Hawaii Island. The resolution requests a detailed inventory focusing on specific infrastructure factors like sidewalks, lighting, traffic patterns, and hazards, to identify improvements needed for children traveling to school. It requires a report with prioritized safety recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature before the 2026 session. This non-binding resolution directly affects students relying on school transportation in Hawaii Island communities, particularly in rural or underserved areas.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 35 requests the Legislative Reference Bureau to partner with the Hawaii State Public Library System to identify rural and underserved communities (particularly on neighbor islands and rural Oahu) lacking telecommunication access for participating in state legislative meetings. It directs them to develop an outreach program using public library resources - such as free internet, videoconferencing, and devices like Chromebooks - to help residents engage remotely, reducing travel costs and barriers. The resolution requires a report to the Legislature by 2026 detailing findings and recommendations for improving public access. This procedural resolution focuses on infrastructure collaboration, not policy changes, to enhance civic participation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 71) requests Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to create a pilot program testing microbial algae-based soil products on eligible farms. The program would target small-to-medium organic farms (10-100 acres) experiencing soil health issues or excessive fertilizer use, aiming to improve soil fertility and reduce chemical dependency. The Department must collaborate with the University of Hawaii's College of Tropical Agriculture and report findings to the Legislature by late 2025. This resolution does not create new law but formally asks the Department to initiate the pilot and assess its potential for broader agricultural use.