Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Health to conduct extensive soil testing in Lahaina following the August 2023 wildfire. The bill directs officials to sample burn sites for toxins, create a cleanup plan for contaminated areas, and evaluate technologies to separate clean soil from ash. The Department must submit a final report with findings, cost estimates, and timelines to the Legislature by March 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to create a Sustainable Food Systems Working Group to develop a comprehensive plan for the state's food supply. The group will include leaders from the agriculture and tourism departments, along with representatives from the legislature and experts in areas like food justice, sustainability, and workforce development. Their task is to draft a strategy that promotes local food production, ensures equitable access to healthy food, and builds resilience against disasters, with a final report due to the legislature by early 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to mandate that wastewater treatment plants test sewage sludge and residual materials for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. The bill specifically targets facilities that reuse treated water for agricultural irrigation, aiming to prevent these "forever chemicals" from entering the food chain through contaminated crops and soil. If PFAS are detected, the resolution requests that the Department of Health prohibit the use of such sludge as fertilizer on land that drains into state waters or floodplains. Additionally, it asks the Department to create new administrative rules for the safe disposal of PFAS-contaminated materials and for the Governor to support these regulatory actions.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the state legislature to create a task force to study ways to lower costs and increase benefits for residents when using state funds for public mass transit projects. The group, co-led by transportation committee chairs and including state officials, will review successful transit initiatives from other cities and countries to develop specific recommendations. The task force is set to operate until June 30, 2027, and must submit its final report and any proposed laws to the legislature before the next regular session begins.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges the Department of Accounting and General Services to create a recycling program for all offices at the Hawaii State Capitol. The bill specifically requests that the program prioritize the collection of HI-5 recyclable items to help manage waste within the state government. As a Senate resolution, this document serves as a formal recommendation rather than a law that directly mandates changes or imposes penalties.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests the Hawaiʻi Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to create an educational program that helps individuals understand which personal habits contribute most to climate change. The program aims to clarify common misconceptions about lifestyle choices, such as recycling or diet, by highlighting actions with the highest impact on carbon emissions. It specifically asks the commission to use printed materials and to work with the Department of Health to distribute this information to the public. As a non-binding request, the bill does not mandate funding or enforce specific actions but serves to encourage the commission to focus on individual behavior in its climate education efforts.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution requests the Department of Accounting and General Services to create a working group to plan and build a permanent memorial honoring Hawaii first responders, including firefighters, lifeguards, and paramedics who died in the line of duty. The proposed memorial would be funded through private donations rather than state taxes and is intended to recognize the bravery of individuals who served at local, state, and federal levels. The working group will include representatives from various fire departments, emergency services, labor unions, and family members of fallen heroes to guide the project. By November 30, 2024, the department must submit a report detailing the memorial's plans, estimated costs, and any additional legislation needed to proceed.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to create an advisory commission focused on improving the state's agriculture, aquaculture, and food systems industries. The commission is tasked with meeting twice a year to discuss challenges such as labor shortages, climate change, water access, and invasive species. Its work will involve ranking priority actions like expanding local food purchasing programs, supporting farm-to-table initiatives, and increasing access to processing facilities. Additionally, the group will review existing regulations to encourage the buying of local agricultural products from state and county entities.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Governor and the County of Maui to create a detailed plan for housing people who lost their homes in the August 2023 Maui wildfires. The bill specifically requests a strategy that outlines construction timelines, maps project locations, and breaks down housing needs for different groups like single-family owners and renters. It also calls for the county to speed up its permitting process and for the state to consider temporary waivers of land use rules to help build homes faster. The resolution sets a deadline of May 31, 2024, for submitting this plan and requires quarterly progress reports to the Legislature.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to launch a two-year pilot project aimed at improving how agricultural crimes, such as theft, vandalism, and trespassing, are handled across the entire state. The bill requests that the department work with law enforcement agencies to hire dedicated officers and evaluate the current effectiveness of prosecuting these cases. During the pilot period, the department will gather data on conviction rates, identify best practices for police and legal coordination, and analyze where crimes are most common to develop prevention strategies. By the end of the project, the department must submit reports to the Legislature detailing its findings and any proposed legislation to make the program permanent or adjust it based on the results.