Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development to create an inventory and map of existing R-1 water delivery systems and reservoirs in Maui County. The bill aims to locate infrastructure that can store treated wastewater for future use in firefighting, agriculture, and landscaping. By identifying these resources, the resolution seeks to help prevent groundwater contamination and ensure access to fresh water for emergency and non-potable needs. The office is required to submit the completed inventory and maps to the Legislature before the start of the 2025 session.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to update its administrative rules to allow licensed dietitians to independently prescribe modified diets and plan therapeutic diets for patients. The bill aims to address the state's shortage of physicians by enabling dietitians to take on more responsibility for nutrition care, which is already permitted in many hospital settings under federal guidelines. Specifically, the proposed changes would let dietitians write diet orders without needing a physician's direct approval for certain diet types, while still requiring that these plans be reviewed and documented in medical records. This shift is intended to improve patient care efficiency and ensure that patients receive adequate nutritional support within the state's healthcare system.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows buyers and sellers of condominiums to exchange specific purchase documents via email instead of traditional paper methods. The measure directly affects real estate transactions involving condominiums by updating the rules for how these documents can be delivered. By permitting electronic communication, the legislation aims to streamline the purchasing process while maintaining the same legal requirements for document delivery.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to install speed bumps and speed limit signs on Kapolei Parkway between Kapolei High School and Kapolei Middle School. The measure aims to address local speeding concerns that contribute to traffic accidents and fatalities in the area. By requesting these specific safety improvements, the bill seeks to slow down vehicle traffic and enhance pedestrian safety for residents along that stretch of road.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Department of Transportation to study whether other airlines could begin serving Molokai Airport. The bill is driven by concerns that the single current carrier offers expensive tickets and unreliable flights, which creates travel difficulties for residents needing to reach work, medical care, and family. If the study determines that adding more airlines is possible, the department must submit a report with its findings and any suggested laws to the Legislature by late 2024.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution expresses Hawaii's support for Taiwan's participation as an observer in several major international organizations, including those focused on climate change, aviation, health, and police cooperation. The measure also encourages the U.S. Trade Representative to begin negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement with Taiwan and calls for a swift conclusion to ongoing trade talks. Additionally, the bill commemorates the 31st anniversary of Hawaii's sister-state relationship with Taiwan and the 45th anniversary of the U.S. Taiwan Relations Act, while highlighting existing economic and educational ties between the two regions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Medical Association and the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association to meet and create new guidelines for prescribing mental health medications. The proposal suggests that doctors should test a patient's thyroid function through a simple blood test before starting treatment with psychotropic drugs, as symptoms of thyroid issues can sometimes be mistaken for mental illness. This request aims to prevent unnecessary or potentially harmful medication by ensuring thyroid conditions are ruled out first. The resolution does not change current laws but instead urges medical organizations to develop these safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to update its administrative rules to allow licensed dietitians to independently prescribe modified and therapeutic diets. The proposal aims to address the state's shortage of physicians by enabling dietitians to write diet orders directly, a practice already permitted in hospital settings by federal guidelines. Under the suggested changes, dietitians would be authorized to plan and adjust nutrition plans for patients, reducing the need for doctors to manage these specific orders. The bill seeks to streamline patient care by letting qualified nutrition professionals handle dietary needs while ensuring all plans are documented in medical records.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation that would expand the National Flood Insurance Program to cover damage caused by lava flows. The bill directly affects residents in lava zones on Hawaii Island who currently face limited insurance options and high premiums following the withdrawal of major private insurers from the market. By proposing this expansion, the resolution aims to provide a federal safety net for property owners in these specific areas, similar to how the program currently assists those in flood-prone regions. The measure does not create new insurance coverage itself but instead asks federal lawmakers to consider adding lava risk to the existing federal insurance framework.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution encourages the United States Navy to remove invasive octocoral and other non-native species from the waters of Pearl Harbor. The bill highlights that these soft corals spread rapidly, damaging local reef ecosystems and reducing fish diversity in areas like West, Middle, and East Lochs. It urges the Navy, which manages the harbor, to allocate resources for an eradication program and directs a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of the Navy.