Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaiʻi Health Systems Corporation's East Hawaiʻi Regional Health Care System to study establishing a rural health clinic in Volcano, Hawaiʻi. It directly affects Volcano residents - who currently lack nearby primary care, emergency services, and face geographic barriers - and visitors to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. The study must examine potential clinic sites, operational models (like part-time care or mobile clinics), costs, staffing, and partnerships with local groups. The resolution does not create new services but asks for a feasibility report to be submitted to the Legislature by late 2026.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 19) is a ceremonial recognition of the 50th anniversary of the restoration of Ahuʻena Heiau, a historically significant Hawaiian temple site. It affirms the site's role as the religious, political, and cultural center during Kamehameha the Great's reign (1812-1819), where pivotal events like the abolition of the kapu system occurred. The resolution expresses appreciation to community members, cultural practitioners, and organizations (including Ahuʻena Heiau, Inc.) who contributed to the site's preservation. As a commemorative measure, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any group, serving solely to honor the site's historical importance.

Maddy summarySCR 20 is a concurrent resolution expressing the Hawaii State Legislature's support for the County of Hawaiʻi's development of the Kealakehe Regional Park project. The resolution urges the County to secure funding, pursue phased development, and collaborate with community stakeholders, while requiring a progress report to the Legislature by 2027. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally endorses the park project, which aims to provide athletic fields, cultural spaces, and recreational facilities for North Kona residents. The resolution directly affects the County of Hawaiʻi's park planning efforts and community groups supporting the project.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 7) affirms Hawaii's support for hospitals providing emergency medical care - including abortion services - when medically necessary to stabilize pregnant patients under federal law (EMTALA). It directly addresses hospitals in Hawaii, urging all facilities (including religiously affiliated ones) to uphold EMTALA’s requirement to deliver life-saving care for conditions like hemorrhage or ectopic pregnancy. The resolution responds to recent federal policy shifts causing confusion about EMTALA’s application, reinforcing that hospitals must not delay or deny such care. It does not create new legal requirements but formally aligns Hawaii’s healthcare system with existing federal standards.

Affirms student-athletes' rights to engage in name, image, and likeness activities for compensation. Requires the University of Hawaii to adopt policies governing institutional name, image, and likeness agreements and other aspects of name, image, and likeness activity consistent with federal law, rules by an intercollegiate athletics governing body such as the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and Title IX. Allows student-athletes to retain professional representation for the purpose of name, image, and likeness activities. Establishes certain transparency and accountability requirements in the administration of institutional name, image, and likeness activities. Provides protections and educational support for student-athletes who enter into name, image, and likeness agreements. Establishes an endowment fund for the name, image, and likeness program. Appropriates funds into the endowment fund. Sunsets 6/30/2030. (CD1)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests state and county agencies to work with community organizations to create a comprehensive statewide food security strategy. The bill targets approximately 32% of households currently experiencing food insecurity, with particular focus on families with children, young adults, and historically marginalized communities. Key provisions require the strategy to be data-driven and equity-focused, addressing barriers to food access, analyzing economic and climate trends, and including community participation in planning. Agencies must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026 to inform future policy and funding decisions.

Establishes the Kuleana AgTech Pathways Program to create career pipelines in the fields of agriculture and agricultural technology. Requires the University of Hawaii to collaborate with the Department of Education, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Agribusiness Development Corporation, Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, and appropriate community organizations to develop and administer the program. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Research Center of Hawaii (Research Center) within the University of Hawaii. Requires the Research Center to be administratively affiliated with the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM). Requires JABSOM, the Research Center, University of Hawaii Center on Aging, and University of Hawaii at Manoa to identify opportunities to capitalize on collaboration between the parties and maximize operational efficiencies. Requires the Research Center to submit annual reports to the Legislature. Establishes positions. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a Conservation Agriculture and Soil Health Incentive Program within the Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a two-year Two-Lined Spittlebug Response Pilot Program to mitigate and control the spread of the two-lined spittlebug. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)