Sen. Maile Shimabukuro

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges Hawaii state agencies, including the Department of Health and Department of Human Services, to work together to maintain affordable drug access for underserved communities through the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program. The bill calls on pharmaceutical companies to avoid implementing restrictions that limit hospitals and health centers from distributing discounted medications to their patients. Additionally, it asks Hawaii's congressional delegation and federal agencies to monitor the pharmaceutical industry and take steps to protect the program's integrity. This measure is a formal request rather than a law that creates new mandates or penalties.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Hawaii Medical Association and the Hawaii Psychiatric Medical Association to meet and create new guidelines for prescribing mental health medications. The proposal suggests that doctors should test a patient's thyroid function through a simple blood test before starting treatment with psychotropic drugs, as symptoms of thyroid issues can sometimes be mistaken for mental illness. This request aims to prevent unnecessary or potentially harmful medication by ensuring thyroid conditions are ruled out first. The resolution does not change current laws but instead urges medical organizations to develop these safety protocols.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Health to update its administrative rules to allow licensed dietitians to independently prescribe modified and therapeutic diets. The proposal aims to address the state's shortage of physicians by enabling dietitians to write diet orders directly, a practice already permitted in hospital settings by federal guidelines. Under the suggested changes, dietitians would be authorized to plan and adjust nutrition plans for patients, reducing the need for doctors to manage these specific orders. The bill seeks to streamline patient care by letting qualified nutrition professionals handle dietary needs while ensuring all plans are documented in medical records.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution urges Hawaii's congressional representatives to support a specific proposal calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. The bill requests that federal officials facilitate the delivery of essential humanitarian aid, including food, water, fuel, and medical supplies, to the region. It also asks for negotiations to end the violence and achieve lasting peace while emphasizing the protection of civilians and children. As a Senate resolution, this document serves as a formal expression of the state legislature's position rather than creating binding laws.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the United States Congress to pass the Social Security 2100 Act, a federal law designed to address the long-term funding shortfall of the Social Security trust funds. The proposed federal legislation would extend the solvency of these funds by increasing taxes on high-income earners and investment income while simultaneously raising benefits for all recipients and restoring certain student benefits. Additionally, the resolution asks Congress to reject any laws that would privatize Social Security by moving assets into private investment accounts. The bill directly affects current and future retirees, disabled individuals, and their families by seeking to preserve their scheduled benefits and financial security.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges Hawaii's congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation that would expand the National Flood Insurance Program to cover damage caused by lava flows. The bill directly affects residents in lava zones on Hawaii Island who currently face limited insurance options and high premiums following the withdrawal of major private insurers from the market. By proposing this expansion, the resolution aims to provide a federal safety net for property owners in these specific areas, similar to how the program currently assists those in flood-prone regions. The measure does not create new insurance coverage itself but instead asks federal lawmakers to consider adding lava risk to the existing federal insurance framework.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution encourages the United States Navy to remove invasive octocoral and other non-native species from the waters of Pearl Harbor. The bill highlights that these soft corals spread rapidly, damaging local reef ecosystems and reducing fish diversity in areas like West, Middle, and East Lochs. It urges the Navy, which manages the harbor, to allocate resources for an eradication program and directs a copy of the resolution to the Secretary of the Navy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution urges the Hawaii Department of Transportation to collaborate with the City and County of Honolulu on creating alternative emergency access routes for Pacific Palisades. The bill highlights that the area currently relies on a single, narrow road with a steep hairpin turn, which poses significant risks during natural disasters like wildfires or flash floods. It requests that the transportation department develop a plan with a completion timeline and submit it to the legislature before the start of the 2025 session. This measure aims to improve public safety by ensuring multiple evacuation options are available for the community.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution asks the Women's Corrections Implementation Commission to create a plan that reduces the number of women held at the Women's Community Correctional Center by 25% over the next five years. The request is based on findings that most incarcerated women have non-violent offenses and that current prison conditions often re-traumatize them. To achieve this goal, the commission must collaborate with various state agencies and community organizations to develop strategies for diversion and rehabilitation. The commission is required to submit an initial report with recommendations by November 2024 and provide updates annually through 2029.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the Hawaii State Energy Office to create a working group focused on studying renewable liquid fuels, such as sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel. The group will include representatives from state agencies, the legislature, universities, and industry stakeholders to explore local production methods and potential tax incentives. Over the next two years, the committee will evaluate technologies and policies to promote the use of these fuels while submitting progress updates and final recommendations to the Governor and Legislature.