Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 181) requests four Hawaii state agencies - the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands, Department of Land and Natural Resources, University of Hawaii, and Land Use Commission - to improve public notice for land use or boundary changes. It requires agencies to provide notice within 30 days of permit applications, hold at least three public meetings, and share details via newspaper, mail to affected residents, and agency websites. The resolution directly affects communities near proposed land changes by ensuring they receive clearer, earlier information about projects impacting their area. It does not create new laws but asks agencies to adopt enhanced notification practices for greater transparency.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a bill) passed by the Hawaii Legislature urging the U.S. President not to defund federal law enforcement programs in Hawaii. It cites that Hawaii received $3.8 billion in federal grants in 2023 for law enforcement programs like anti-drug initiatives and victim assistance, and warns that defunding would hinder responses to threats like human trafficking and gun violence. The resolution formally requests the President maintain this funding but has no legal effect.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 212) requests the City and County of Honolulu to create a centralized towing authority to oversee towing services and contracts. It aims to address past issues like excessive charges (e.g., $900 for 15 minutes of service) by requiring the authority to divide Oahu into districts and contract with multiple towing companies per district. The resolution also urges Honolulu to cancel or let expire existing towing contracts where feasible. This request directly affects the city government, towing companies, and residents whose vehicles are towed.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 195) urges the Mayor of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, and Honolulu Prosecuting Attorney's Office to collaborate with local businesses and community partners to implement Safe and Sound programs in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and Waianae. It references the successful Waikiki Safe and Sound program, which reduced drug/alcohol-related crimes by 48%, robberies by 19%, burglaries by 30%, and property damage by 22% since 2022, as a proven model for these new initiatives. The resolution does not create new laws but formally requests coordination to address crime in these West Oahu areas.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 185) requests Hawaii's Department of Education to identify public schools with outdated equipment and replace it with new, modernized equipment. It directly affects all 258 public schools in Hawaii's statewide district, serving 152,270 students. The resolution does not mandate funding or set timelines but asks the Department to assess and upgrade equipment to meet current needs. It is a procedural request addressed to the Department of Education, not a binding law. The resolution specifically cites the need for equipment modernization to support teachers, staff, and students, without detailing specific equipment types.

Maddy summarySCR 201 is a concurrent resolution supporting the reactivation of Hawaii's inactive Hawaii Health Authority (HHA) and mandating that the HHA develop a plan to transition the state's health insurance payment system to a single-payer model. The resolution specifies this transition should occur only after securing federal waivers and exhausting all federal funding for Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare. It cites potential savings of up to 30% in administrative costs - reducing the state's health care spending - by eliminating the current multi-payer system. The resolution directs state health, budget, and insurance agencies to support this effort.

Beginning 1/1/2026, requires all health insurers in the State, excluding Medicaid managed care programs, to cover the cost of continuous glucose monitors and related supplies under certain conditions. Effective 7/1/2050. (SD2)

Maddy summarySCR 212 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution requesting the Hawaii Department of Human Services to study implementing a 20% discount program on housing, utilities, food, and prescription drugs for low-to-moderate-income seniors aged 65+ in Hawaii. It does not create the discount program but directs a feasibility assessment of the proposal. The study would examine potential benefits, costs, and implementation challenges for this specific group, who face high living expenses including $4,814 monthly on home healthcare. The Department must submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by January 2026.

Maddy summaryThis resolution urges the Mayor of Honolulu, Honolulu Police Department, and Prosecuting Attorney's Office to collaborate with local businesses and community partners to implement Safe and Sound crime-reduction programs in Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and Waianae. It references the successful Waikiki Safe and Sound program (which reduced drug/alcohol crimes by 48% and other crimes since 2022) as a model for replication. The resolution does not create new law but recommends expanding this collaborative approach to the specified West Oahu areas to address crime.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 109) urges Hawaii's Governor to appoint members to the dormant Hawaii Health Authority to plan for transitioning to a single-payer health care system. It specifies implementation should begin after securing federal waivers to maintain Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare funding streams. The resolution requires the Authority to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2026, focusing on planning for a cost-effective system without altering care delivery. As a procedural resolution, it does not enact policy but directs the Authority's reactivation for planning purposes.