Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii 911 Board to form or use an existing working group to collaborate with disability advocates on improving emergency response accessibility. The proposed group would identify barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, evaluate current emergency technologies, and develop recommendations for better information sharing while addressing privacy concerns. The working group must include representatives from public safety agencies, disability organizations, and individuals with lived experience, and it must submit findings to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session. This measure aims to enhance emergency preparedness for people with disabilities without creating new statutory mandates that could duplicate existing efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the federal government to provide additional funding to help Hawaii increase pay for adult corrections officers in the state's Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. The bill addresses ongoing staffing shortages and high turnover by requesting federal financial support for competitive compensation, including base pay adjustments and retention incentives. It does not directly change state laws or budgets but serves as a formal request to federal officials to assist with workforce stabilization. The resolution aims to reduce vacancies and improve safety conditions without placing the full financial burden on state taxpayers.

Beginning 7/1/2027, requires the State Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Land and Natural Resources to contract its review of proposed state projects and projects affecting historic properties to third-party consultants under certain circumstances. Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources to publish a draft of its proposed rules and later present its proposed final rules to the Board of Land and Natural Resources. Appropriates funds. Sunsets 7/1/2032. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, to assess the viability of housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Requires that lands within the agricultural district with class B or C soils that have solar or wind energy facilities must also obtain certification from the Department of Agriculture that the lands are also used for a farming operation. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Allows an activity or operation that is permitted or authorized under the ocean recreation and coastal areas program chapter and renewed within twelve months preceding the initiation of proceedings to determine whether the activity or operation is subject to environmental review, to continue operation for one year while the appropriate agency makes the determination and conducts any necessary environmental review. Allows a person with oversight of the activity or operation to renew the appropriate permits while under the environmental review process. Sunsets 6/30/2027. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Education to create a system that assigns responsibility for monitoring school construction and repair projects to local complex area leaders. Under this proposed framework, Complex Area Superintendents and their staff would track project progress from planning through completion, coordinate with school leaders to address needs, and submit quarterly reports on budget and timeline status to the state Office of Facilities and Operations. The Office of Facilities and Operations would keep overall management authority while providing technical assistance and reviewing the local reports to ensure projects stay on schedule and within budget. The Department of Education would also be required to develop clear procedures defining roles and responsibilities, and submit a report to the Legislature by early 2027 outlining the new framework and any recommendations for further action.

Requires the Director of Law Enforcement to adopt rules establishing training and certification standards and procedures for crisis intervention officers. Requires the Department of Health to approve the content of such training. Clarifies the scope of treatment permitted under assisted community treatment orders. Requires the Department of the Attorney General to assist with the preparation, filing, and presentation of requests for a court order to provide treatment over a patient's objection. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate an intersection for the installation of a leading pedestrian interval and accessible pedestrian signal upon the first placement or replacement of a state-owned pedestrian signal head. Requires and authorizes the Department of Transportation to evaluate a certain number of existing intersections with pedestrian signal heads on an annual basis until each intersection with a pedestrian signal head showing a pedestrian crash within the last 5 years has been evaluated. Ensures that accessible pedestrian signals are installed at intersections where leading pedestrian intervals are already installed. Requires that additional safety improvements are implemented as necessary where leading pedestrian intervals and accessible pedestrian signals are installed. Requires the Department of Transportation, in coordination with the counties, to develop a program that allows pedestrians and community members to request the installation of accessible pedestrian signals at specific intersections. Appropriates funds from the state highway fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySB 2615 requires public school districts to charge students at least one-quarter of the actual cost to prepare each school meal. This directly affects students and families who purchase meals at public schools, as it sets a minimum price floor for meal costs. The bill mandates that the Department of Education enforce this requirement, ensuring meal prices cover at least 25% of the preparation expenses. It establishes a concrete policy change in school meal pricing without altering eligibility or funding mechanisms.