Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 200) urges the Governor to require the State Council on Mental Health to incorporate Native Hawaiian wellness concepts. It specifically requests that at least two Council members have expertise in Native Hawaiian healing practices, and that all members receive annual cultural training from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs on topics like traditional health practices and cultural awareness. The resolution directly affects the State Council on Mental Health, which oversees mental health resource allocation. It aims to address documented disparities in mental health outcomes for Native Hawaiians, who experience higher suicide rates and underutilize services. The resolution does not create new laws but requests specific changes to Council membership and training.
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Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation to create a 12-month pilot program (June 2025-January 2026) inspecting personal aircraft arriving at state airports for illegal fireworks. It directs the DOT to coordinate with law enforcement and fire departments to prevent unauthorized fireworks importation and dispose of prohibited items. The program aims to address concerns following a December 2024 fireworks incident that caused fatalities. The DOT must submit a report by January 2026 evaluating the program’s effectiveness and recommending future action. This is a procedural request, not a law, and does not change existing fireworks regulations.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 216) urges Hawaii's Department of Human Services to increase reimbursement rates paid to primary care physicians for services provided to Med-Quest recipients (Hawaii's Medicaid program). It highlights that current reimbursement rates are low, lack cost-of-living adjustments or overhead coverage, and do not account for physician experience, making it financially difficult for providers to maintain practices serving Medicaid patients. The resolution notes a decline in private practice physicians (from 75% to 10% over ten years) and aims to prevent further withdrawal of primary care access for Med-Quest enrollees. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change law but formally requests the department consider this adjustment.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 210) requests Hawaii's Department of Education to launch a three-year pilot program shortening Friday school hours for one elementary, one middle/intermediate, and one high school. The goal is to give students additional time to complete homework, with the program requiring annual reports on academic performance, teacher/parent feedback, and recommendations for future implementation. The pilot would not apply statewide but would test the impact across different grade levels before any potential expansion. The resolution is a non-binding request, not a mandate, and requires the Department to submit progress reports to the Legislature by 2027-2030.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests Hawaii's Department of Education to identify public schools with aging equipment and replace it with modern equipment. It applies to all 258 public schools serving over 152,000 students statewide. The resolution directs the Department to prioritize equipment upgrades but does not allocate new funding. As a non-binding request, it asks the Department to act on existing resources.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 204) requests Hawaii's Department of Education to create a pilot program in public and charter schools, requiring staff trained in epinephrine administration for severe allergic reactions. It specifies that each school must have at least one trained staff member per 100 students or per accessible building floor, and display clear signs about anaphylaxis symptoms and treatment. The resolution is non-binding and requires a report on the pilot's findings to the legislature by early 2026. It directly affects Hawaii public and charter schools, aiming to improve emergency response for students/staff with life-threatening allergies.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 192) urges Hawaii counties to explore revenue from transit-based advertising - like ads on buses or trains - before raising mass transit fares. It directly affects counties operating public transit (Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu) by encouraging them to seek alternative funding instead of increasing fares for riders. The resolution does not require counties to adopt advertising, but suggests they could charge reasonable fees for ads while setting limits on ad size, content, and placement. As a non-binding resolution, it aims to help keep transit affordable without mandating specific actions.
Maddy summarySCR 227 is a non-binding resolution urging all entities in Hawaii - including businesses, organizations, and government agencies - to limit potable water use for recreational or ornamental purposes (like pools, fountains, or landscaping) to no more than one million gallons per year per permit. It specifically exempts uses that rely solely on recycled water, which is treated wastewater reused for non-potable purposes. The resolution was introduced amid severe drought conditions, climate change impacts, and environmental concerns, including the Red Hill fuel spill crisis. As a voluntary measure, it does not impose legal penalties but encourages conservation of Hawaii's limited water resources.
Maddy summarySCR 217 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii counties to explore revenue from transit advertising - like ads on buses or trains - before raising mass transit fares. It directs counties to consider this alternative funding source to avoid increasing costs for riders, particularly given Hawaii's high cost of living. The resolution also recommends counties set reasonable limits on ad size, content, and placement if they adopt this approach. It applies to all counties operating mass transit systems and is addressed to county officials and transit agencies.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 230) requests the Hawaii Department of Education end its practice of requiring certain students to attend schools outside their designated service area. It specifically addresses overcrowding in the Kapolei complex, which led to splitting students into rotating schedules (multi-tracking) and reportedly lowered test scores by 2% compared to traditional schools. The resolution argues assigning students to schools in their home complex (like Nanakuli) would balance enrollment across the Leeward District without needing multi-tracking, reducing stress on students, families, and staff. As a non-binding request, it does not change policy but urges the Department of Education to reconsider student reassignment practices.