Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Legislative Reference Bureau to study whether Hawaii should replace its current appointed Chief Election Officer with an elected Secretary of State to oversee elections. The study will examine existing laws governing election officials and outline the legal steps needed to make such a change, including any new legislation required. The bureau must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This proposal does not implement the change itself but rather initiates research to determine if and how the current election oversight structure could be altered.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to work with state and local agencies to evaluate how much infrastructure capacity exists around transit-oriented development areas in Honolulu. The assessment will focus on sewer and water systems to determine what upgrades are needed to support future growth in these neighborhoods. This study aims to identify necessary improvements before new construction begins, ensuring that infrastructure can handle anticipated population increases. The resolution directs copies to relevant city and state officials to coordinate the evaluation process.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority and appoint members to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill directly affects the state's healthcare infrastructure by directing the Health Authority to create a transition strategy that would consolidate federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE under a unified system. Key provisions include requesting a progress report with recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027 and transmitting the resolution to state officials. The document frames the proposal as a response to projected federal Medicaid cuts and cites potential administrative cost savings as a rationale for the system change.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to study whether mezzanine loans could help increase housing production in the state. Mezzanine loans are a type of financing that combines debt and equity features, allowing developers to borrow against a project's value without needing to provide as much upfront cash or ownership stake. The study would examine if this financing method could help developers build more homes while making better use of state housing funds. The department must complete the study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not create new laws but requests research to inform future housing policy decisions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing bed availability at the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request stems from concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits options for those needing treatment within the criminal justice system. The resolution directs the advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these specific populations and to submit a report with findings and potential new legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not authorize funding or mandate immediate policy changes but serves as a formal request for planning and coordination among state agencies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests that the Hawaii Department of Education make one year of Hawaiian language instruction a mandatory graduation requirement for all public school students. The bill directly affects students in Hawaii's public school system by adding a new academic requirement to their graduation criteria. The resolution is based on the state constitution's mandate to provide Hawaiian language education and aims to support the revitalization of the Hawaiian language, which has historically faced decline due to past bans on its teaching. The measure does not change existing Hawaiian language programs but instead seeks to make them compulsory for graduation rather than optional.

Maddy summaryThis bill requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing not covered by the federal Fair Housing Act, specifically condominiums and planned communities. The study will examine disputes between residents and associations, assess the impact of accessibility gaps on aging in place, and evaluate potential state funding options to help offset modification costs. The working group will include representatives from disability rights, consumer affairs, aging services, civil rights, and housing associations, and must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Board of Land and Natural Resources to exempt agricultural businesses that practice diversified farming on former sugarcane lands within the Conservation District from needing permits or sight plan approvals. The bill aims to reduce regulatory burdens and processing delays that currently discourage farmers from using these lands for local food production. If adopted, the exemption would allow eligible agricultural enterprises to operate without undergoing the standard permitting process that can take up to 180 days to complete. The resolution does not change existing laws but requests an administrative adjustment to support food system resilience and land reuse goals.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Budget and Finance to study whether the state should create a sovereign wealth fund, which is an investment account designed to generate long-term financial returns for residents. The proposed fund would invest state assets such as tourism revenues, budget surpluses, and legal settlements outside the regular annual budget to build fiscal stability and support future generations. If the study finds it feasible, the report would include recommendations for potential legislation to establish the fund and distribute some investment earnings directly to qualified residents. This resolution does not create the fund itself but initiates a formal review of its practicality and benefits for the state.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Health to create a working group to study accessibility barriers in multi-family housing managed by condominium and planned community associations, which often fall outside federal Fair Housing Act protections. The study will examine disputes between residents and associations over accessibility modifications, assess how current laws address reasonable accommodations, and evaluate potential state funding options to help offset the costs of necessary upgrades. The working group will include representatives from disability rights organizations, aging services, civil rights agencies, and housing associations, and must submit a report with findings and legislative recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This initiative aims to gather data on how accessibility gaps affect residents' ability to age in place and identify practical solutions for improving housing accessibility in Hawaii.