Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR 7) affirms Hawaii's support for hospitals providing emergency medical care - including abortion services - when medically necessary to stabilize pregnant patients under federal law (EMTALA). It directly addresses hospitals in Hawaii, urging all facilities (including religiously affiliated ones) to uphold EMTALA’s requirement to deliver life-saving care for conditions like hemorrhage or ectopic pregnancy. The resolution responds to recent federal policy shifts causing confusion about EMTALA’s application, reinforcing that hospitals must not delay or deny such care. It does not create new legal requirements but formally aligns Hawaii’s healthcare system with existing federal standards.

Maddy summarySenate Resolution 7 affirms Hawaii's support for the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), which requires hospitals to provide life-saving emergency care - including abortion services when medically necessary - to stabilize pregnant patients experiencing medical emergencies. The resolution urges all Hawaii hospitals, regardless of religious affiliation, to uphold EMTALA's requirements and ensure no pregnant patient faces delays or denials of timely emergency care. This is a declaratory statement of policy, not a new law, aimed at reinforcing existing federal standards and clarifying Hawaii's commitment to reproductive healthcare access during medical emergencies.

Proposes constitutional amendments to expressly provide that the Legislature may authorize political subdivisions, such as the counties, to issue resilient infrastructure for shelter and equity bonds for specified public works, public improvements, or other actions necessary for housing and community development, and exclude these bonds from determinations of the funded debt of the political subdivisions. (CD1)

Renames the State Boxing Commission of Hawaii as the Boxing and Combat Sports Commission of Hawaii. Creates a subcommission on boxing and subcommission on combat sports. Amends the jurisdiction of the Commission to include combat sports contests. Prohibits no rules combat or similar combat sports contests. Repeals the existing Mixed Martial Arts Contests program. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD3)

Maddy summarySB 2152 proposes a constitutional amendment to raise Hawaii's mandatory retirement age for state judges and justices from 70 to 75 years. This change would directly affect current and future state court judges, allowing them to serve until age 75 instead of retiring at 70. The bill would amend Article VI, Section 3 of the Hawaii State Constitution to reflect this age increase. The measure is currently under review by the Judiciary Committee, which recently recommended passage with amendments.

Requires and establishes benchmarks for each state executive agency to ensure that a certain percentage of lei purchased by that executive agency consists of lei made of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested, and assembled in the State. Establishes labeling requirements for lei and lei materials. Requires the disclosure of the geographic origin for the plant materials and natural objects that comprise a lei or lei materials. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Prohibits the Hawaii National Guard from deploying to assist federal troops, federal law enforcement, or the national guard of any other state operating in Hawaii when the Governor has objected to the deployments. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Clarifies that condominium associations that have obtained title to a unit through foreclosure may retain rental income received prior to the appointment of a commissioner in a subsequent foreclosure, but the association may be required by a court to remit rental income received after the appointment of a commissioner to be held until an order of distribution is entered by the court. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Requires a detailed budget summary to contain all required information without referring the reader to other portions of the budget or reserve study. Excludes the good faith defense for associations whose boards adopt a budget that omits the required detailed budget summary. Clarifies a unit owner's standing and the association's burden of proving substantial compliance. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD1)

Establishes a working group to recommend the implementation of specific reforms to effectively eliminate the Land Court. Requires a report to the Legislature, including proposed legislation drafted with assistance from the Legislative Reference Bureau. Appropriates funds. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)