Sen. Chris Lee

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution establishes a formal sister-state relationship between the State of Hawaii and Yamagata Prefecture in Japan to strengthen collaboration in trade, tourism, education, and cultural exchange. The resolution outlines specific pilot programs for culinary and agricultural exchanges, culinary tourism showcases, education and workforce development, and sustainable development initiatives. It directs the Governor to work with Japanese officials to create memoranda of understanding that will guide future cooperation in areas like food security, climate resilience, and rural revitalization.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution urges the Hawaii Division of State Parks to create a task force aimed at improving state parks and developing branding for parks and landmarks across the state. The proposed task force would include representatives from tourism, business development, cultural advisory, and legislative committees to examine best practices in park infrastructure and visitor experiences. The group is tasked with creating a framework for branding and storytelling that reflects Hawaii's cultural heritage and environmental character, potentially generating revenue through merchandise and other strategies. The task force must submit its findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the end of 2026, with the goal of establishing Hawaii's parks as among the finest in the nation.

Allows the Hawaii Property Insurance Association, the Hawaii Hurricane Relief Fund, and private insurers to bring claims against responsible parties for amounts paid by the insurers for losses resulting from climate disasters and extreme weather attributable to climate change. Requires insurance rates established by the Hawaii Property Insurance Association to account for any proceeds from the civil claims against a responsible party. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Restructures the conveyance tax to a marginal rate system for the sale of properties with residential use, adjusts the tax for multifamily properties to reflect value on a per-unit basis, and applies a cost-of-living adjustment to conveyance tax rates. Establishes the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount within the Dwelling Unit Revolving Fund. Allocates a portion of conveyance tax collections to the Transit-Oriented Development Infrastructure Subaccount and Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Establishes and appropriates funds out of the Hawaiian Home Lands Infrastructure and Housing Special Fund. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Establishes the Mental Health Emerging Therapies Task Force within the University of Hawaii at Manoa John A. Burns School of Medicine to prepare the State for the integration of breakthrough therapies, expansion of pathways for clinical trials and clinical research, and development of policy recommendations for safe, ethical, and culturally informed implementation of emerging therapies. Requires reports to the Legislature. Sunsets 6/30/2028. Effective 1/30/2050. (HD1)

Requires the Department of Land and Natural Resources' Division of Aquatic Resources to begin the Holomua Marine Initiative process no later than 7/1/2027 to address coral reef restoration on Oahu. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Prohibits foreign nationals, foreign corporations, and foreign-influenced business entities from making contributions, expenditures, electioneering communications, or donations for election purposes. Requires every for-profit business entity that contributes or expends funds in a state election to certify that the entity was not a foreign corporation or foreign-influenced business entity when the contribution or expenditure was made. Specifies that if the conditions that determine whether a business entity qualifies as a foreign‑influenced business entity are held unconstitutional by a final judgment, including all appeals, the Campaign Spending Commission is required to establish revised conditions that are constitutional. Requires noncandidate committees making only independent expenditures to obtain a statement of certification from each top contributor required to be listed in an advertisement avowing that no funds were derived from foreign nationals, foreign corporations, or foreign-influenced business entities. Exempts entities engaged in transporting cargo and subject to section 27 of the Merchant Marine Act of 1920. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summarySB 3040 replaces the Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission with a new Office of Gun Violence Prevention and allocates state funding for its operations. The bill establishes a dedicated state office to coordinate gun violence prevention strategies, though specific programs or initiatives are not detailed in the abstract. It directly affects state government by creating this new entity and directing resources toward prevention efforts. The bill is currently pending committee review, with a public hearing scheduled for February 11, 2026.

Clarifies that the prohibition on the mining or taking of beach or marine deposits, including sand, seaward from the shoreline applies to licensed and unlicensed contractors. Effective 7/1/3000. (HD2)

Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests the Office of Planning and Sustainable Development in Hawaii to create a Demolition Waste Reduction Working Group to address landfill capacity issues and reduce construction waste. The proposed working group will include representatives from government agencies, private sector industries, and community organizations to develop strategies for increasing deconstruction and material reuse across the state. Key tasks include identifying waste reduction solutions, creating policy incentives for sustainable practices, and ensuring environmental justice considerations are addressed in recommendations. The group is required to submit annual reports with findings and proposed legislation to the Legislature, with a focus on promoting a circular construction economy and reducing landfill dependency.