Requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a Healthy Soils Program. Requires an annual report to the Legislature. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)
Maddy summarySCR 105 is a non-binding Senate resolution urging Hawaii's Director of Health to require waste combustion facilities, like the H-POWER plant in Honolulu, to use EPA-verified continuous monitoring technology for emissions. Currently, H-POWER only tracks four pollutants continuously while testing others annually under ideal conditions, which studies show underestimates actual emissions by up to 1,290 times for toxic chemicals like dioxins. The resolution specifically recommends adopting real-time monitoring for contaminants - such as hydrochloric acid and dioxins - similar to requirements in Oregon and practices used by H-POWER's operator at facilities in other states. It does not create new law but seeks to improve public health data accuracy by replacing infrequent annual testing with ongoing, verified monitoring.
Maddy summarySCR 46 is a resolution requesting the state Auditor to conduct management and financial audits of Medicaid health care insurance contractors (managed care organizations) every two years, with the first audit due by January 2026. The audits will evaluate whether contractors use public funds properly, comply with state and federal rules, and provide quality care to Medicaid beneficiaries. Contractors must cooperate by providing records, and the Auditor must submit reports to the Governor, Legislature, and Department of Human Services. This follows years of recommendations to improve oversight, as the Auditor has never conducted such audits despite having legal authority since 1975.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution (SR 29) requests the Hawaii State Auditor to conduct a management and financial audit of Medicaid health care insurance contractors - managed care organizations providing Medicaid services - on a biennial basis. It directly affects these contractors, the Auditor, and state agencies overseeing Medicaid, requiring them to cooperate with the audits. The resolution specifies that audits must assess financial integrity, compliance with laws, and contractor operations, with the first audit due within six months of July 1, 2025. The Auditor must submit findings to the Governor, Legislature, and Human Services Director by 2027, and every two years thereafter. This is a procedural request, not a binding law, aiming to address past issues like overpayments and improve Medicaid program oversight.
Maddy summarySCR 101 is a non-binding resolution urging Hawaii's Director of Health and Director of Corrections to encourage state hospitals and prisons to replace ultra-processed foods (like those with artificial additives) with healthier options. It specifically recommends offering minimally-processed foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and non-dairy beverages. The resolution cites benefits including reduced risk of chronic diseases (diabetes, heart conditions), cost savings for taxpayers, support for local farmers, and alignment with Native Hawaiian dietary practices. It does not mandate changes but formally requests these agencies promote healthier food choices in state facilities.
Maddy summarySCR 52 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii's Department of Education (DOE) and Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) to jointly develop a high school training program for a Youth Civil Defense Corps. The resolution proposes creating a curriculum to train high school students in emergency response skills, enabling them to participate in the State Emergency Response Team Program during disasters. It does not create new laws or funding but requests DOE and HI-EMA to collaborate on implementing this student-focused emergency preparedness initiative. The resolution directly affects high school students and state emergency management coordination.
Maddy summaryHawaii's Senate Resolution 95 requests the Department of Education, with the Department of Health and State Public Charter School Commission, to study how schools manage heat exposure during outdoor activities to protect students. The study would assess current practices, evaluate using wet-bulb globe temperature measurements (a standard heat stress metric), and determine if existing guidelines are sufficient. If gaps are found, the study would develop specific guidelines requiring hydration protocols, staff training on heat illness, accommodations for students with medical conditions, and acclimatization plans for outdoor activities. These guidelines would apply to all public and charter schools across Hawaii for activities like sports, recess, and band practice. The resolution mandates a final report to the Legislature by early 2026.
Maddy summaryHawaii's Senate Resolution 81 (SR 81) ratifies a 1924 proposed constitutional amendment (House Joint Resolution 184) that would grant Congress authority to regulate or ban labor for people under 18. This resolution does not create new child labor laws but seeks to formally approve an amendment that has remained pending since 1924, after only 28 states initially ratified it. If fully ratified by 38 states (requiring 10 more approvals), it would enable future federal legislation on child labor, though current regulations are already established under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The resolution is procedural and does not alter existing protections or requirements.
Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 102) urges Hawaii's Department of Health and the University of Hawaii Water Resources Research Center to incentivize wastewater treatment plants to test sewage sludge, reclaimed water, and other residuals for PFAS ("forever chemicals"). It does not create new law but requests these agencies take action to require testing and develop rules for safe disposal of PFAS-contaminated materials. The resolution specifically addresses materials used in agriculture (like sludge as fertilizer) where PFAS could enter the food chain, citing potential health risks. It also urges prohibiting land use for agriculture if PFAS is detected in these materials. The resolution focuses on voluntary incentives and guidance, not mandatory enforcement.
Maddy summarySCR 108 is a non-binding Senate Concurrent Resolution urging Hawaii to reject new fossil fuel projects, specifically targeting liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. It cites scientific consensus that LNG (composed largely of methane, 80x more potent than CO2) and fracking pose severe climate and health risks, including methane leaks and water contamination. The resolution requests state agencies avoid providing financial or regulatory support for new LNG projects and instead prioritize transitioning to renewable energy, aligning with Hawaii’s 2021 climate emergency declaration. It does not create new laws but directs state authorities to align energy decisions with climate science and community health values.
