Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 122) is a non-binding statement by Hawaii's legislature reaffirming opposition to nuclear energy. It cites Hawaii's constitutional ban on nuclear power plants (Article XI, Section 8), risks of nuclear fuel transport to the island chain, geological instability making waste storage unsafe, and the state's existing 100% renewable energy goal under Act 97 (2015). The resolution formally commits the legislature to "uphold Hawaii's constitution" and prioritize renewable energy, directing certified copies to state officials and county leaders. It does not create new law but expresses policy stance.

Maddy summaryThis is a non-binding Senate Resolution (SR 106) passed by Hawaii's 2025 legislature. It urges the U.S. President not to defund federal law enforcement programs that support Hawaii's agencies, including county police departments and the Attorney General's office. The resolution cites Hawaii's reliance on approximately $3.8 billion in federal grants (2023) for programs like anti-drug initiatives and victim assistance. It does not change funding laws but formally expresses the legislature's position on federal funding priorities.

Maddy summarySCR 236 is a non-binding resolution requesting Honolulu to create a central towing authority to manage towing contracts and services. It addresses concerns about overcharging, citing a 2023 incident where a towing company charged $900 for 15 minutes of service, and aims to ensure fair pricing for residents. The resolution urges Honolulu to divide Oahu into districts, contract multiple towing companies per district, and cancel existing towing contracts where possible. This would shift oversight from individual contracts to a centralized system for greater transparency and efficiency.

Maddy summarySCR 235 is a resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Law Enforcement to work with Honolulu to create fair policies for towing and disposing of vehicles abandoned on public property that belong to active-duty military members. It specifically requires these policies to comply with federal law, provide notice to deployed servicemembers if their vehicle is towed, and balance the needs of residents affected by abandoned vehicles. The resolution does not create new law but asks for practical procedures to address a common issue when military members deploy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 191) urges the Hawaii Department of Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for primary care physicians treating patients enrolled in Med-Quest, Hawaii's Medicaid program. It states current rates are too low to cover costs, lack inflation adjustments, and don't account for physician experience, contributing to a decline in physicians accepting Med-Quest patients (from 75% to 10% in private practice over a decade). The resolution does not require the Department to act but formally requests rate increases to maintain access to primary care for Med-Quest beneficiaries. As a non-binding resolution, it expresses legislative concern without creating new law.

Maddy summarySCR 185 is a concurrent resolution urging the Hawaii Legislature to require mandatory inquiries into all child fatalities and serious injuries involving children in state child welfare services. It directly affects the Department of Human Services (DHS) and child welfare cases, seeking to replace reliance on costly lawsuits with systematic investigations. The resolution requests that DHS conduct these inquiries for every incident, rather than waiting for legal action after harm occurs. It cites numerous past cases where DHS failed to act on warnings, leading to preventable deaths and injuries, but does not create new laws or alter existing policies.

Maddy summarySCR 130 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Governor to appoint members to reactivate the Hawaii Health Authority, which was established by law but currently inactive. The resolution directs the Authority to plan for transitioning Hawaii to a single-payer health care system, contingent on obtaining federal waivers to secure Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding. It does not create new law but requests the Authority submit a report to the Legislature by late 2025 with recommendations for implementation. The resolution directly affects the Governor (who must appoint members) and the Hawaii Health Authority (which would lead the planning). It focuses on administrative cost savings from a state-run system, not on specific healthcare delivery changes.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 162) urges Hawaii's Department of Health to treat incinerator ash from H-POWER (Honolulu's only waste incinerator) as regulated solid waste under state law, rather than non-hazardous material. It specifically opposes plans to "recycle" the ash for road construction, citing risks of public exposure to toxins like dioxins and heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury) due to current testing methods that overlook inhalation/ingestion hazards. The resolution directs the Department of Health to ensure safe management practices and notifies Honolulu that the proposed ash reuse project may violate health protections.

Maddy summarySCR 129 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Health to initiate education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 50%, prioritizing those below 30%. It directs these efforts to begin at the start of the 2025-2026 school year and requires collaboration with the Department of Education to develop a long-term plan. The resolution also mandates a report to the legislature by early 2026 detailing funding needs and administrative steps for implementation. This resolution affects Hawaii public, charter, and private schools with documented low vaccination rates, as identified by state health data.

Maddy summarySCR 206 is a non-binding resolution requesting four Hawaii agencies - Hawaiian Home Lands, Land and Natural Resources, the University of Hawaii, and the Land Use Commission - to provide enhanced public notice for land use or boundary changes. It requires agencies to notify the public within 30 days of permit applications, hold at least three public meetings, and share details via newspaper, direct mail to affected residents, and agency websites. The bill aims to improve community transparency and input ahead of projects like the Kahuku windmill or TMT, which faced opposition due to limited early engagement. This resolution does not mandate compliance but formally asks agencies to adopt these notice standards.