Sen. Kurt Fevella

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 67) urges Maui County, in coordination with the Maui Emergency Management Agency, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of Defense, to conduct real-time wildfire and disaster drills involving the Maui community. It specifically calls for community members to participate in planning, executing, and evaluating these drills to improve emergency response preparedness. The resolution emphasizes that such drills should familiarize residents with evacuation protocols and create opportunities for immediate feedback to refine response strategies. It does not create new law but formally encourages these agencies to adopt community-engaged disaster training practices.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 201) urges Hawaii's Med-Quest Division (Human Services) and Developmental Disabilities Division (Health) to amend eligibility rules for a Medicaid waiver that provides home and community-based care. Currently, people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and certain conditions - including mental illness - are excluded from this waiver. The resolution specifically requests removing the exclusion for individuals with both an intellectual/developmental disability and a mental health condition. It asks the departments to revise the rules and report on progress by early 2026. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally requests policy action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 205) requests all Hawaii county police departments to purchase and deploy explosion detection technology to identify and respond to illegal gunfire and fireworks. It specifically cites technologies like ShotSpotter, which can detect explosions within 40 seconds to improve response times. The resolution requires police chiefs to ensure officers receive proper training on using this equipment. It does not mandate funding or create new laws but urges counties to adopt the technology for public safety. The request directly affects all 5 county police departments in Hawaii.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 76 urges the Governor and state agencies to integrate Indigenous Hawaiian knowledge (including traditional ecological practices and the Hawaiian language) into climate policy decisions. It specifically calls for this integration in three areas: climate adaptation (adjusting to climate impacts), climate mitigation (reducing emissions), and climate resiliency (building community strength). The resolution does not create new laws but encourages the state to develop goals that meaningfully include Indigenous knowledge as part of a "just climate future." It directly addresses state leadership and agencies responsible for climate planning.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 38) supports the Native Hawaiian Intellectual Property Working Group's request for additional resources and a timeline extension for fiscal year 2025-2026. The Working Group, established to protect Native Hawaiian cultural intellectual property through community consultations, needs more time and funding to develop solutions preventing cultural appropriation. The resolution expresses legislative support for their work without creating new legal requirements.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 93 requests the City and County of Honolulu to display purple lights at City Hall on August 7 each year to honor National Purple Heart Day. This symbolic resolution commemorates military service members who were injured or killed in action, recognizing their sacrifices. It does not impose legal requirements on the city but asks for a visible annual tribute. The resolution is non-binding and focuses solely on honoring Purple Heart recipients through a public display.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 43) requests the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) to partner with the Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC) to collaboratively maintain and improve the Kihei Ramp in South Kihei, Maui. The ramp is used by the local community for recreational activities like fishing and diving, and KIRC relies on it for access to Kahoolawe and future visitor center plans. The resolution asks DLNR to work with KIRC to facilitate ongoing repairs, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of the ramp, potentially leveraging private investment. It does not create new laws or funding but formally encourages interagency collaboration for community and KIRC benefit.

Maddy summarySCR 89 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to form a working group that will develop an educational pathway at University of Hawaii community colleges for meat processing careers. It directly affects students seeking entry-level jobs in meat processing and addresses a current workforce shortage that limits local ranchers' ability to process and sell their products. The working group must create a curriculum covering food safety, animal handling, processing techniques, regulatory compliance, hands-on training, and sustainable practices. The goal is to equip students with skills needed to support Hawaii's agricultural industry and reduce reliance on imported meat.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 215) requests three Hawaii agencies - the Department of Accounting and General Services, Department of Land and Natural Resources, and Honolulu Parks Department - to install universal changing accommodations in all state facilities, state parks, and city parks. It specifically requires at least one universal changing station in women’s/men’s restrooms and in family/gender-neutral restrooms at each location. The resolution aims to provide safe, private, and dignified changing spaces for people with disabilities, caregivers, and families during public activities. (Note: This is a request, not a law requiring immediate action.)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 72) requests Hawaii's Department of Agriculture to form a working group that will develop an educational pathway at University of Hawaii Community Colleges for meat processing careers. The resolution directly affects students seeking entry-level jobs in meat processing and local meat processing facilities facing workforce shortages. The working group must create curriculum covering food safety, processing techniques, regulatory compliance, sustainability practices, and hands-on training to equip students with skills needed by the industry. The resolution does not create the program itself but asks for a plan to establish it, aligning with state goals for food security and local job growth.