Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Maddy summaryThis bill encourages the Hawaii Department of Education to offer a basic swimming course at either the primary or secondary education level. It directly affects students, parents, and the state education system by recommending the addition of water safety training to the curriculum. The resolution is based on concerns about Hawaii's high drowning rates and aims to provide equitable access to swimming skills for all children. It does not mandate the program but rather serves as an official recommendation to state education officials.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the City and County of Honolulu to review and potentially adjust bicycle lanes and on-street parking to better match the direction of vehicle traffic, particularly on one-way streets. The bill aims to improve safety for bicyclists, drivers, and pedestrians by reducing conflicts that occur when bikes travel against traffic flow or when parked cars block visibility at driveways. It is a non-binding recommendation sent to city officials to consider these changes as part of their existing safety initiatives.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution formally recognizes and expresses appreciation for the United States Armed Forces' contributions to Hawaii's emergency preparedness, response capacity, and community resilience. The bill references specific instances where military support was critical, including the aeromedical evacuation of burn victims after the Aliamanu fireworks explosion and assistance during the 2023 Maui wildfires. It highlights the unique capabilities of the armed forces in providing specialized medical transport, logistical resources, and personnel support when civilian resources are limited. The resolution also notes existing community appreciation events like Military Appreciation Day and the Kaneohe Bay Air Show as demonstrations of ongoing collaboration. Finally, it calls for continued coordination between state, county, federal, and military partners to strengthen emergency response efforts and protect residents' health and safety.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that requests the Hawaii Department of Education to make one year of Hawaiian language instruction a mandatory graduation requirement for all public school students. The resolution is based on the state's constitutional designation of Hawaiian as an official language and aims to support language revitalization efforts that have previously helped increase fluent speakers. It does not change existing law directly but formally asks the Department of Education to implement this new requirement as part of its graduation standards. The measure would affect all public high school students in Hawaii by making Hawaiian language study compulsory for graduation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution encourages the Hawaii Department of Education to introduce a basic swimming course at either the primary or secondary education level. The measure aims to address high drowning rates and water safety disparities by promoting access to swimming skills for students. It does not mandate funding or curriculum changes but serves as a formal recommendation to state education officials. The resolution is directed to the Superintendent of Education and the Chairperson of the Board of Education for their consideration.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of the Attorney General to study whether current self-defense laws need updating for agricultural lands. The bill directly affects farmers and ranchers who may face unique challenges due to the isolated nature of their work and limited access to law enforcement. The study will examine how existing self-defense standards apply to agricultural settings, consult with law enforcement and agricultural stakeholders, and compare Hawaii's laws with those of other states. The Attorney General must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027, potentially including proposed legislation. This is a procedural resolution that initiates a review rather than changing any laws immediately.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's counties to apply the Safe System Approach to road and transportation design, particularly when reducing or eliminating off-street parking requirements for new developments. The Safe System Approach is a framework that prioritizes protecting vulnerable road users like pedestrians and cyclists by designing infrastructure that minimizes crash severity and accounts for human error. Key recommendations include improving crosswalk visibility, adding pedestrian refuge islands, installing bicycle lanes, and using rumble strips to enhance safety. The resolution highlights that reduced off-street parking has increased on-street parking, which blocks views of children and forces pedestrians into traffic on narrow streets without sidewalks. This non-binding measure directs county officials to balance housing development goals with investments in pedestrian safety infrastructure.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Hawaii Board of Education and Department of Education to create a working group that will design a Climate Literacy Seal of Excellence for public school students. The proposed framework would recognize students who complete advanced coursework and hands-on projects focused on climate science, sustainability, and community resilience. The working group would include educators, university experts, industry representatives, and student leaders to develop course requirements, assessment criteria, and implementation timelines. The Department of Education must report its findings and any recommended legislation to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 session.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution from Hawaii urges the U.S. President and Congress to release all federal records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigations, with redactions limited only to protecting the privacy and safety of victims. It directly addresses the U.S. executive and legislative branches, calling for full transparency in government documents that have been mishandled by the Department of Justice. The resolution specifically requests that the Department of Justice stop releasing unredacted victim identities while also removing unnecessary redactions on the names and communications of other individuals involved in the case. Additionally, it asks Congress to investigate and compel testimony from all individuals implicated in the Epstein files.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Governor to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority to develop a plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer healthcare system. The bill proposes that the Authority study how to implement such a system by capturing federal funding from Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE, with the goal of reducing administrative costs and improving healthcare access. It requests that the Authority submit a progress report and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This resolution does not change any laws or allocate funding but serves as a formal expression of support for planning a healthcare system overhaul.