Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summarySCR 53 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Legislative Reference Bureau to partner with the Hawaii State Public Library System. It aims to identify rural and underserved communities needing better telecommunication access so residents can participate remotely in state legislative hearings. The resolution directs the Bureau to collaborate with libraries - using their existing broadband and devices - to create an outreach program informing the public about remote participation tools. It also requires a report by January 2026 detailing findings and recommendations for improving public access to the legislative process. This resolution does not create new laws but coordinates existing state resources to enhance civic engagement.

Authorizes the Department of Budget and Finance to issue special purpose revenue bonds to assist Aloun Kauai Farming LLC, in the planning, design, construction, and maintenance of an integrated dairy. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySCR 54 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to convene a Desalination Planning Task Force to study whether desalination (converting seawater to fresh water) could feasibly meet the state's large-scale water needs. The task force, composed of state and county water officials, health representatives, and cultural advisors, will assess water demand, environmental impacts of desalination plants, cultural site protections, and how it might support water resilience after events like the Red Hill contamination. It must report findings and recommendations to the legislature by 2026, including potential policy changes. This resolution does not enact new law but directs a study to inform future water management decisions.

Establishes the Affordable Housing Land Inventory Task Force to conduct a study, subject to legislative appropriation, to assess the viability of housing development in transit-oriented development zones or other areas on state or county lands. Requires a report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Repeals the prohibition placed on certain employees exempt from Civil Service Law from grieving a suspension or discharge. Allows any employee who is a member of an appropriate bargaining unit to grieve a suspension or discharge. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Human Services, in collaboration with the Office of Wellness and Resilience, to design a five-year Child Welfare System Diversion and Intervention Pilot Program to support families and children involved, at risk of involvement, or at risk of reinvolvement with Child Welfare Services. Specifies that the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer the pilot program. Allows the Department to contract with public and private entities to provide necessary services. Requires reports to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Appropriates funds for the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology within the University of Hawaii at Manoa to establish and operate a Center for Climate Resilient Development. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySCR 58 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's counties to install accessible playground equipment, including wheelchair-accessible swings, in all county park playgrounds and to create maintenance plans. It requires equipment to meet ADA standards and mandates maintenance plans with six key components: regular inspections, preventive upkeep, cleaning schedules, accessibility checks, emergency repair protocols, and community engagement. The resolution directly affects all counties managing public playgrounds and aims to improve access for children with physical, developmental, or intellectual disabilities. It does not create new law but requests counties adopt these standards and asks state agencies to help develop cost and implementation recommendations.

Authorizes a registered pharmacist under contract with a covered entity for purposes of the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program to supervise the filling or receipt of a prescription via telehealth in certain circumstances. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Maddy summarySCR 117 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Department of Education to collaborate with the Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, and the County of Hawaii to conduct a safety inventory of school bus stops on Hawaii Island. It directs this collaboration to assess specific safety factors - including sidewalks, lighting, traffic patterns, and hazards - at stops used by students traveling to school, and to develop improvement strategies. The resolution requires a report with prioritized safety recommendations to be submitted to the Legislature by January 2026. This affects Hawaii Island students, particularly those in rural or underserved areas relying on school transportation.