Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 36) requests Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources to create a Desalination Planning Task Force to study whether large-scale desalination (removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water) is feasible for the state. The task force, including state agency leaders and county water officials, will examine water demand, environmental impacts (like energy use and brine disposal), cultural considerations (including Native Hawaiian sites), and how desalination might help meet future water needs amid Hawaii's freshwater crisis. The resolution does not mandate desalination but asks for a report by 2026 to inform future decisions. This study directly affects Hawaii's water management systems, agriculture, tourism, and communities facing water scarcity.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 73) requests the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) to assume responsibility for the routine maintenance and repairs of the Kohala Ditch, a 26-mile irrigation system critical to North Kohala farmers. The ditch, damaged by a 2021 rockslide, supplies over 5 million gallons of water daily to local farms; without it, farmers face 10x higher water costs, forcing many to reduce or stop operations. The resolution urges the ADC to develop a community-informed maintenance plan and submit annual reports on repairs and infrastructure conditions. As a procedural resolution (not a law), it does not mandate action but formally asks the ADC to take on this role to support agricultural stability.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests Maui County to hire a full-time archaeologist to guide historic preservation efforts during Lahaina’s rebuilding after the 2023 wildfires. The archaeologist would work with county and rebuilding teams to protect cultural sites, implement federal/state preservation laws, and maintain Lahaina’s historical identity. The resolution is non-binding but aims to ensure cultural heritage is preserved as part of community recovery. It directly affects Maui County’s rebuilding process and Lahaina’s historical sites.

Maddy summaryThis resolution requests Hawaii's Emergency Management Agency (HIEMA) to address trees that could block evacuation routes during emergencies. Specifically, HIEMA must identify large trees along evacuation paths, trim or remove hazardous ones, conduct risk assessments for high-risk trees, and adopt proven urban forestry practices like proper pruning and storm-resistant tree selection. It also directs HIEMA to strengthen community education on evacuation procedures while preserving environmental resilience. The resolution directly affects HIEMA's operations and indirectly benefits all Hawaii residents, particularly those in coastal communities relying on clear evacuation routes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 44) requests Hawaii's Department of Education to create and implement a statewide financial literacy curriculum for public high school students. It requires schools to offer a standalone financial literacy course by the 2026-2027 school year, covering budgeting, saving, credit management, taxes, loans, and fraud prevention. The plan must integrate these topics into existing courses, provide teacher training through workshops and pilot programs, and be finalized by December 2025. The resolution directly affects all public high school students and the Department of Education in Hawaii.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 45) urges the Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) to create a plan for producing enough housing to meet statewide demand. It highlights Hawaii's severe housing shortage, noting the state builds far fewer units annually (2,902) than needed, with critical gaps in housing for middle- and upper-income households (120%+ of area median income). The resolution requests HHFDC submit its plan to the Legislature by January 2026, emphasizing the need to address housing as a key factor in retaining residents and workers. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact new law but directs agency action.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations to study creating a Hawaii Workforce Excellence Award Program, modeled after France's Meilleur Ouvrier de France award. The study would examine how to recognize craftspersons in key trades (like carpentry, culinary arts, and floristry), including cost-effective implementation and industry input, and report findings to the Legislature by early 2026. It does not create the award program but seeks a feasibility assessment.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 18) requests the Hawaii Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to collaborate with the Department of Transportation to use existing inmate work furlough programs for state roadway and highway maintenance. It directly affects inmates participating in furlough programs (who gain work experience for reentry), the Corrections Department (which must coordinate the effort), and Transportation (which would gain additional maintenance staff). The resolution proposes using eligible inmates - already in furlough programs for reentry preparation - to perform routine road maintenance tasks like pothole repair and vegetation control. This is a procedural request, not a new law, aiming to support inmate rehabilitation while addressing workforce needs for highway upkeep.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 25) encourages all Hawaii counties to develop their own localized biosecurity plans to address invasive species threats. It specifically urges counties to prioritize their unique needs - based on local climate, agriculture, and infrastructure - while collaborating with state agencies like the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council. The resolution does not create new legal requirements but promotes coordinated, county-driven strategies to protect ecosystems, agriculture, and public health from invasive species. It applies directly to all 5 Hawaii counties (Honolulu, Hawaii, Kauai, Maui, and Molokai).

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 163 requests the University of Hawaii to study establishing an Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. It directs the university to assess its current research capabilities, evaluate benefits for Hawaii residents, and identify requirements to secure federal funding from the National Institute on Aging. The resolution requires the university to develop a phased plan with a timeline and submit a report by December 31, 2025. This resolution directly affects the University of Hawaii and aims to explore potential research opportunities for Alzheimer's disease, particularly considering Hawaii's unique demographic composition.