Amends the membership and responsibilities of the Public Land Trust Working Group established under Act 226, SLH 2022. Requires the Working Group to submit the following to the Legislature: by 8/1/2027, a first interim report regarding Act 178, SLH 2006, financial reporting and accounting; by 12/1/2027, a second interim report regarding the public land trust inventory; by 6/1/2028, a third interim report that includes a preliminary draft of findings and recommendations regarding Act 178 financial reporting and accounting and the public land trust inventory; and by 10/1/2028, a final report that includes proposed legislation. By 12/31/2028, requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to submit certain findings and considerations to the Legislature. Requires the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to provide administrative support to the Working Group in coordination with a third-party consultant. Appropriates funds from the Carry-Forward Trust Holding Account to be transferred to the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to be expended solely for Native Hawaiian programs and services with critical, short-term funding needs in the areas of education, health, economic development, and community-based initiatives. Specifies that the transferred funds may not be used for planning, developing, or constructing residential or mixed-use projects or related infrastructure. (CD1)
Sponsored bills
Specifies that registered pharmacy technicians must be at least sixteen years old. Clarifies that registered pharmacy technicians shall be at least eighteen years old and meet other certain requirements to administer vaccinations. Authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to renew certificates of registration for registered pharmacy technicians. Clarifies renewal requirements and forfeiture and restoration provisions for certificates of registration. (CD1)
Establishes the Hawaii Leadership Awards Program to honor individuals who have made considerable and outstanding contributions to the State and serve as inspirations to others. (HD1)
Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution formally notifies the House of Representatives and the Governor that the Senate is prepared to end its current legislative session permanently. The document serves as an official procedural step to signal that the Senate has completed its work and is ready to close the legislature. By transmitting certified copies of this resolution, the Senate initiates the process required to officially adjourn the entire state government for the year.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to change public high school graduation requirements so that students must complete a standalone financial literacy course. The bill addresses concerns that the current approach, which allows financial literacy to be integrated into other courses or the Personal Transition Plan, may not provide sufficient dedicated instruction and accountability. It proposes specific implementation steps including teacher professional development, funding identification, student completion tracking, and a curriculum based on community input. The resolution is based on evidence showing declining financial literacy among younger generations and the benefits of dedicated financial education for post-secondary success.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution asks the State Auditor to review the Department of Education's list of unfinished school construction and renovation projects. The audit will examine how much money has been spent on each project, why some are delayed or over budget, and how much additional funding is needed to finish them. The goal is to provide a clear picture of the state's school infrastructure needs and suggest ways to manage future projects more effectively. The Auditor must submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature before the 2027 session begins.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests that Hawaii's Board of Education work with the Department of Education to make completing a standalone financial literacy course a graduation requirement for public high school students. The bill specifically asks for a formal vote to approve this requirement, teacher professional development credits, identification of funding sources, tracking of student completion, and a curriculum plan based on community input. It argues that a dedicated course is more effective than integrating financial literacy into other subjects or the Personal Transition Plan, citing evidence that financial skills improve with focused instruction. The resolution reflects concerns about declining financial literacy among younger generations and the potential long-term benefits of ensuring all students receive practical financial education.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution requests the Hawaii Department of Transportation, working with the Department of Education, to evaluate and recommend improvements to the licensing, training, and recruitment process for school bus drivers. The bill aims to address driver shortages that cause route cancellations and transportation disruptions, particularly affecting students in rural and neighbor island communities. The evaluation will examine barriers such as testing availability, interagency coordination, and workforce pipeline issues, with a deadline to submit findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution asks the Department of Transportation to work with the Department of Education to study how to improve the process for hiring and training school bus drivers in Hawaii. The bill addresses ongoing shortages of qualified drivers that have led to canceled routes and disrupted transportation for students, particularly in rural and neighbor island communities. The requested evaluation will examine barriers to commercial driver's licensing, coordination between agencies and private contractors, and strategies to expand testing and training access. The departments must consult with various stakeholders and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the start of the 2027 regular session.
Maddy summaryThis Senate Concurrent Resolution expresses the Legislature's support for the findings and recommendations of the Hawaiʻi Water Safety Coalition's Hawaiʻi Water Safety Plan, which addresses the state's high drowning rates and aims to reduce fatalities and injuries. The document outlines specific recommendations including establishing a centralized water safety authority, expanding funding for drowning prevention programs, requiring safety measures at pools and flood control structures, and ensuring free swim lessons for all children. While the resolution does not create new laws, it formally endorses the plan and urges state agencies and local governments to collaborate on implementing its strategies to improve water safety across the state.