Sen. Mike Gabbard

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 108) urges Hawaii's Department of Health to launch education, outreach, and vaccination drives at schools with vaccination rates below 50%, prioritizing those below 30% starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It directs the Department of Health to partner with the Department of Education to develop a long-term plan addressing vaccine hesitancy and to report progress to the Legislature by early 2026. The resolution does not create new laws but requests specific actions to improve school vaccination rates based on current data showing concerning gaps. It targets all Hawaii public, charter, and private schools with low immunization rates, using proven community engagement models from other states as a framework.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 192) urges Hawaii counties to explore revenue from transit-based advertising - like ads on buses or trains - before raising mass transit fares. It directly affects counties operating public transit (Hawaii, Maui, Kauai, and Honolulu) by encouraging them to seek alternative funding instead of increasing fares for riders. The resolution does not require counties to adopt advertising, but suggests they could charge reasonable fees for ads while setting limits on ad size, content, and placement. As a non-binding resolution, it aims to help keep transit affordable without mandating specific actions.

Maddy summarySCR 217 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii counties to explore revenue from transit advertising - like ads on buses or trains - before raising mass transit fares. It directs counties to consider this alternative funding source to avoid increasing costs for riders, particularly given Hawaii's high cost of living. The resolution also recommends counties set reasonable limits on ad size, content, and placement if they adopt this approach. It applies to all counties operating mass transit systems and is addressed to county officials and transit agencies.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 198) requests the Hawaii Department of Health to partner with tire retailers to create and maintain a database tracking motor vehicle tires. It would require retailers to collect and submit each tire’s model, serial number, purchaser’s name, and sale date to the database for a specified period. The goal is to better track tires and hold owners accountable for illegal dumping, which the resolution notes creates health risks (like pest habitats) and environmental hazards (fire risks, toxic leaks). The resolution does not create new law but asks the Department of Health to coordinate this tracking effort.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution SR 193 requests Hawaii's Department of Transportation to establish a one-year pilot program (June 2025-January 2026) inspecting personal aircraft for illegal fireworks at state-owned airports. The program would require coordination with law enforcement to check aircraft for unauthorized fireworks and dispose of prohibited items per state law, with the DOT submitting a report to the Legislature by January 30, 2026, on its effectiveness and recommendations. This resolution does not create new law but asks an agency to test a targeted inspection approach for preventing illegal fireworks imports via personal aircraft.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 166) urges the Hawaii Legislature to establish mandatory inquiries into every child fatality or serious injury occurring within the state's child welfare system. It cites specific cases since 1997 - including fatalities from neglect, unsafe reunifications, and abuse - where DHS failed to act on warnings despite prior lawsuits and settlements totaling over $10 million. The resolution does not create new law but calls for legislative action to prevent future harm through systematic reviews, noting current gaps in accountability despite existing child death review panels.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 55) requests Hawaii's Department of Education and Department of Health to update vaccination forms and recordkeeping for public and charter school students. It addresses a current issue where students claiming an exemption for *one* required vaccine (like HPV) are marked as "unvaccinated" for *all* vaccines, creating inaccurate records. The update aims to improve tracking of students' actual vaccination status - showing which vaccines they've received and which they've exempted - to help schools better assess herd immunity during disease outbreaks. The resolution does not change vaccination requirements but seeks more precise data for public health responses.

Maddy summarySCR 72 is a procedural resolution requesting Hawaii's Department of Education and Department of Health to update vaccination forms and recordkeeping for public and charter school students. It addresses a current issue where students who refuse a single required vaccine (like HPV) are marked as "unvaccinated" for all diseases on enrollment forms, creating inaccurate records. The resolution aims to improve the accuracy of vaccination status tracking to help schools better respond to disease outbreaks. This request directly affects school enrollment staff and students, as it would change how vaccination exemptions are documented. The resolution does not change vaccination requirements but seeks to refine recordkeeping procedures.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 86) urges Hawaii's Director of Health to require operators of waste combustion facilities - specifically targeting the H-POWER facility in Honolulu - to implement continuous monitoring and sampling of emissions using EPA-tested technology. Currently, H-POWER only monitors four pollutants continuously and tests others annually under ideal conditions, while studies cited in the resolution show annual testing underestimates harmful emissions (like dioxins) by up to 1,290 times compared to continuous monitoring. The resolution requests that operators continuously track, sample, and report all emissions, aligning with practices in states like Oregon and other facilities operated by H-POWER's parent company. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new law but seeks to improve air quality data accuracy for public health and environmental protection.

Maddy summaryHawaii's Senate Resolution SR 80 expresses symbolic support for Taiwan's democratic development and security, endorsing Taiwan's observer status in key international organizations like the World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization. It also supports advancing U.S.-Taiwan trade initiatives and urges U.S. officials to strengthen bilateral cooperation. The resolution is a non-binding statement sent to federal leaders, not a policy change affecting specific groups or laws. It reflects Hawaii's historical ties with Taiwan, including sister-state relations and economic partnerships.