Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 99) requests Hawaii's Department of Health to form a working group to study whether business owners could legally use filtered water collected from rainwater catchment systems for business purposes. Currently, state law permits captured rainwater only for personal household use, not business activities, despite its potential to reduce strain on aquifers during water shortages. The working group, composed of health officials, legislators, county water representatives, and public members, must assess feasibility, recommend testing protocols, and suggest compliance strategies, with a report due to the Legislature by 2027. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to evaluate a potential policy adjustment.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 85 (SR 85) requests the Governor to form a working group focused on solid waste management, specifically addressing Oahu's landfill challenges. The resolution requires the Governor to convene a 13-member group including representatives from state health/environmental agencies, Honolulu County, water supply, recycling/composting industries, environmental nonprofits, and landfill experts. The working group must submit a report by January 2026 with recommendations on reducing waste and alternatives to landfills, such as improved recycling, composting, and waste-reduction policies. This resolution does not create new laws but seeks collaborative solutions to Oahu's upcoming landfill expiration (Waimanalo Gulch landfill permit expires 2028) and site selection challenges.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 6) urges Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to create a working group focused on reducing delays caused by insurance prior authorization requirements. The group would include 15 members representing insurers, healthcare providers, consumers, and employers, plus agency officials, to study specific practices like 24-hour response times for urgent care and longer validity periods for medications. It requires the group to examine how prior authorization impacts timely care and propose solutions, including potential policy changes. The working group must submit its recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to inform future legislative action on insurance approval processes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 75) requests the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) to establish educational forums for the Native Hawaiian community about how the legislative process works. The forums would cover topics like drafting bills, submitting testimony, and attending committee hearings, using in-person workshops, virtual sessions, and community outreach. OHA must report annually to the Legislature on these forums' activities, participation, and effectiveness. The resolution does not create new law but asks OHA - a state agency focused on Native Hawaiian well-being - to enhance community engagement with the legislative system.

Maddy summaryThis is a Hawaii Senate resolution (SR 41), not a legislative bill. It urges the U.S. Congress to establish a national reinsurance program to address insurance market instability caused by frequent, severe natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires. The resolution recommends the program operate as a public-private partnership with defined loss thresholds and state opt-in options, aiming to stabilize insurance availability and affordability without replacing private insurers. It does not create new law but calls for Congress to act on this proposal.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 12 requests Hawaii's Department of Health to convene a task force to establish minimum standards for community health worker training programs. The task force must include representatives from each county, community health organizations, educational institutions, and healthcare agencies. It is required to submit a report with recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2025, without creating new law. This resolution focuses on improving training consistency for community health workers who support underserved populations in navigating healthcare systems.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 53) requests Hawaii's State Health Planning and Development Agency to form a Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Working Group. The group, including pharmacy associations, insurers, and state agencies, will evaluate PBM practices to improve transparency, lower drug costs for patients, and increase healthcare access. It will specifically examine issues like fair pharmacy reimbursements, PBM reporting requirements, and practices that restrict patient access. The Working Group must submit recommendations to the Legislature by early 2026. This resolution does not change laws but seeks to identify policy reforms for future legislation.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 197) requests Hawaii's Office of Consumer Protection to form a task force to examine payment options offered by towing companies. The task force will assess challenges vehicle owners face when retrieving towed vehicles, such as limited cash availability or lack of credit/debit card access. The resolution requires the Office to report findings and potential legislative recommendations to the legislature by early 2026. It does not change current laws but seeks to evaluate whether new requirements (like on-site ATMs) could improve accessibility for vehicle owners. The resolution directly affects towing companies and vehicle owners in Hawaii.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 56) requests the Office of Wellness and Resilience to prepare a report addressing developmental needs of children born during the 2019-2025 pandemic. The report must analyze trauma-informed care, existing support services (including for wildfire-affected areas), and resources for educators, with a focus on vulnerable groups like Native Hawaiian and rural communities. It requires the office to submit the report by December 31, 2026, including recommendations for future action. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new law but directs an assessment of existing challenges.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 91 requests the Hawaii State Energy Office to study whether the state should establish a green bonds program. Green bonds are financial tools that raise capital specifically for environmentally focused projects like renewable energy, conservation, and clean infrastructure. The study must examine best practices for managing such a program, identify clean energy initiatives that could benefit from funding, and explore potential partnerships between state agencies and private companies. The Energy Office must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026, providing a basis for future decisions about implementing a green bonds program. This resolution does not create a program but seeks an evaluation to inform potential policy action.