Sen. Joy San Buenaventura

Increases the penalties imposed on individuals convicted for violations of temporary restraining orders and orders for protection. Clarifies that the court shall not sentence a defendant to pay a fine for violating a domestic abuse protective order if the court makes an on-the-record determination that the defendant is or will be unable to pay the fine. Specifies that any conviction for violation of a temporary restraining order issued under the same judicial case number as an order for protection shall be treated as a prior violation of an order for protection. Clarifies when the court may suspend certain jail sentences for violations of domestic abuse protective orders. (HD2)

Provides that in any county with a population of less than 250,000, fee simple absolute title of a privately owned highway, road, alley, street, way, lane, bikeway, bridge, or trail is deemed transferred to adjacent property owners or the community association if certain conditions are met. Effective 7/1/2027. Sunsets 7/1/2032. (CD1)

Prohibits and imposes penalties for the intentional taking, harming, or killing of ʻIo (Hawaiian hawk). Increases penalties and fees for taking and killing indigenous species of aquatic life, wildlife, and land plants that are native to the State. (HD2)

Maddy summaryThis resolution recognizes April 21-28, 2025, as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii. It asks residents to support protecting dark skies and directs the Board of Land and Natural Resources to create a task force to study light pollution. The task force, including state agencies, universities, county mayors, and federal partners, will examine reducing light pollution, conserving energy, protecting wildlife, and developing dark sky parks. The resolution does not create new laws but initiates a study to inform future policies on preserving Hawaii's night skies.

Maddy summarySCR 86 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Health to form a working group focused on improving aeromedical services. The group will study gaps in emergency air medical care, particularly in rural areas where access to trauma specialists and timely care is limited, directly affecting residents in counties like Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. Key provisions require the working group - comprising health officials, emergency management leaders, healthcare associations, and aeromedical providers - to develop recommendations for better protocols, funding, and service stability. The group must submit its final report to the Legislature by June 2025, with the group dissolving on June 30, 2026. This resolution does not enact new law but initiates a process to address systemic challenges in rural emergency medical response.

Maddy summarySCR 60 is a non-binding resolution urging the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to create a plan for increasing housing production. It directs HHFDC to develop a specific strategy addressing housing shortages, including density timelines, walkability, sustainable financing, staffing needs, and solutions for land/infrastructure barriers. The plan must include input from a proposed Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force (referencing Senate Bill 26) and be submitted to the Legislature by January 2026. This resolution directly affects HHFDC’s planning process but does not mandate new housing construction or funding.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 115) is a non-binding statement affirming that restoring marine ecosystems supports Hawaii's climate goals. It highlights how marine restoration - alongside wetlands - captures carbon and helps meet the state's targets to cut emissions 50% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve 100% renewable electricity by 2045. The resolution urges strengthening carbon accounting methods to better measure emissions reductions from these natural solutions. It does not create new laws or funding but expresses legislative support for aligning ecosystem restoration with decarbonization efforts.

Maddy summarySCR 53 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to partner with the Hawaii State Public Library System. It aims to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunication access so residents can participate remotely in state legislative hearings. The resolution directs the Bureau to collaborate with libraries - using their existing broadband and devices - to create an outreach program informing the public about remote participation tools. It also requires a report by January 2026 detailing findings and recommendations for improving public access to the legislative process. This resolution does not create new laws but coordinates existing state resources to enhance civic engagement.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests Hawaii's State Energy Office to form a Nuclear Energy Working Group to study the feasibility of using advanced nuclear power technologies in the state. The working group, including state officials and external experts, will evaluate benefits, risks, regulatory barriers, and environmental factors related to nuclear energy. It must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026, with no legislative action taken until after the study concludes.

Expands workers' compensation medical benefits for firefighters to include coverage for adenocarcinoma or mesothelioma of the respiratory system; cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, pharynx, and thyroid; and malignant melanoma. Specifies that an employer may prove that the cancer or disease was not associated with the firefighting duties to deny medical benefits under workers' compensation law. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)