Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 60 clarifies that housing projects approved by the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) before July 1, 2031, will retain eligibility for housing credits under Act 31 (2024) even after Act 31 is repealed. It requests HHFDC and all counties to include three specific details in project approvals: a developer's credit rights statement, the number of qualifying units, and available credits. This resolution directly affects housing developers and local governments administering housing credit programs.

Maddy summaryThis non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 46) requests Hawaii's Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to evaluate the potential cost-benefit of sponsoring a Michelin Guide for the state's restaurants. It aims to assess whether such a sponsorship could boost culinary tourism, attract skilled workforce talent (as noted in a 2022 tourism report), and elevate restaurant standards. The resolution does not mandate sponsorship but asks the department to review feasibility and return on investment. It directly affects Hawaii's restaurant industry and tourism promotion efforts, though no concrete policy change is enacted by the resolution itself.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 45) urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to create a plan for producing enough housing to meet statewide demand. It highlights Hawaii's severe housing shortage, noting the state builds far fewer units annually (2,902) than needed, with critical gaps in housing for middle- and upper-income households (120%+ of area median income). The resolution requests HHFDC submit its plan to the Legislature by January 2026, emphasizing the need to address housing as a key factor in retaining residents and workers. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new law but directs agency action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study creating a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program, modeled after France's Meilleur Ouvrier de France award. The study would examine how to recognize craftspersons in key trades (like carpentry, culinary arts, and floristry), including cost-effective implementation and industry input, and report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. It does not create the award program but seeks a feasibility assessment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to collaborate with the Department of Transportation to use existing inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. It directly affects inmates participating in furlough programs (who gain work experience for reentry), the Corrections Department (which must coordinate the effort), and Transportation (which would gain additional maintenance staff). The resolution proposes using eligible inmates - already in furlough programs for reentry preparation - to perform routine road maintenance tasks like pothole repair and vegetation control. This is a procedural request, not a new law, aiming to support inmate rehabilitation while addressing workforce needs for highway upkeep.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 25) encourages all Hawaii counties to develop their own localized biosecurity plans to address invasive species threats. It specifically urges counties to prioritize their unique needs - based on local climate, agriculture, and infrastructure - while collaborating with state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but promotes coordinated, county-driven strategies to protect ecosystems, agriculture, and public health from invasive species. It applies directly to all 5 Hawaii counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai).

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 163 requests the University of Hawaii to study establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. It directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate benefits for Hawaii residents, and identify requirements to secure federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The resolution requires the university to develop a phased plan with a timeline and submit a report by December 31, 2025. This resolution directly affects the University of Hawaii and aims to explore potential research opportunities for Alzheimer's disease, particularly considering Hawaii's unique demographic composition.

Maddy summaryThis Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 40) urges the U.S. government to develop a national biodiversity strategy. It requests a coordinated federal plan to protect ecosystems, conserve species, and align with international conservation standards. The resolution highlights Hawaii’s unique biodiversity challenges, including over 550 endangered species and low federal conservation funding relative to its ecological significance. As a non-binding request, it does not create new laws but calls for federal action to address the national biodiversity crisis.

Maddy summarySCR 226 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Med-QUEST Division (Department of Human Services) and Developmental Disabilities Division (Department of Health) to amend eligibility rules for the Medicaid 1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver. Currently, individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities who also have conditions like dementia, mental illness, or substance abuse are excluded from the waiver. The resolution specifically requests removing this exclusion for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities *and* a co-occurring mental health condition. It also requires the Developmental Disabilities Division to report on this amendment by early 2026. This is a procedural request to update administrative rules, not a law changing Medicaid eligibility.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 32 (SR 32) urges the University of Hawaii President and Board of Regents to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program at the University of Hawaii Maui College. Currently, Maui students complete associate nursing degrees locally but must leave the island to pursue BSNs, with most either enrolling in out-of-state programs or the Hawaii Statewide Nursing Consortium at UH Manoa. The resolution highlights Maui’s growing healthcare needs, available clinical placements, and the goal of creating a local pathway for nursing advancement without requiring students to relocate. It requests the Board of Regents allocate resources for faculty, curriculum, and facilities to develop the program, aiming to increase local nurse graduates and address statewide nursing shortages. This is a non-binding resolution, not a law, and focuses on encouraging UH system action.